Fatal crashes in Clark County, Washington
In 2024, 41 people died in 41 fatal crashes in Clark County, 10.8% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 300 fatal crashes and 324 deaths, the 6th most of any county in Washington.
7.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.2 across Washington in 2024; 6.5 against 8.2 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 527,269, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Washington.
Deaths in Clark County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 41 | 41 |
| 2023 | 34 | 37 |
| 2022 | 38 | 38 |
| 2021 | 31 | 36 |
| 2020 | 35 | 40 |
| 2019 | 24 | 27 |
| 2018 | 28 | 33 |
| 2017 | 28 | 28 |
| 2016 | 20 | 20 |
| 2015 | 21 | 24 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Clark County
I-5 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Clark County from 2015 to 2024: 24, with 26 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 32% of all fatal crashes in Clark County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 3 state highways. Interstate, US and state routes with 5 or more fatal crashes in the county; county roads and city streets are in the county's total but not listed.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-5 | 24 | 26 | 5 | |
| 2 | State Highway 503 | 20 | 25 | 5 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 14 | 18 | 21 | 7 | |
| 4 | I-205 | 18 | 19 | 9 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 500 | 17 | 19 | 7 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Vancouver 103, Camas 12, Battle Ground 8, Washougal 5. The city is not filed for crashes outside a city.
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
When fatal crashes happen in Clark County
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 19 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 9 pm to 10 pm; the worst month is July.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 4.3 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 14 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 6.3 percent, 19 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.3%
- Feb9.0%
- Mar9.0%
- Apr4.0%
- May7.0%
- Jun10.0%
- Jul11.7%
- Aug10.3%
- Sep11.3%
- Oct8.3%
- Nov8.3%
- Dec5.7%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Clark County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 36%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 31%, a pedestrian in 21%, a rollover in 4.3%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 108 | 36% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 94 | 31% |
| Pedestrian | 63 | 21% |
| Rollover | 13 | 4.3% |
| Other | 11 | 3.7% |
| Cyclist | 9 | 3.0% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 0.7% |
| Not reported | 0 | 0.0% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
How fatal crashes in Clark County compare with Washington
A drinking driver was recorded in 32% of fatal crashes in Clark County from 2015 to 2024, about the Washington share; speeding in 37%, above the Washington share of 31%; a hit-and-run in 6.3%, about the Washington share; a driver recorded as distracted in 20%, about the Washington share; 33% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the Washington share of 40%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Washington. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Clark | Washington | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 30% | 42% | below the Washington share |
| At or near an intersection | 29% | 26% | above the Washington share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 24% | 24% | about the same as the Washington share |
| A drinking driver | 32% | 31% | about the same as the Washington share |
| Speeding | 37% | 31% | above the Washington share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 20% | 21% | about the same as the Washington share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 33% | 40% | below the Washington share |
| Hit-and-run | 6.3% | 6.3% | about the same as the Washington share |
| A motorcycle involved | 21% | 17% | above the Washington share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 23% | 18% | above the Washington share |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Questions about fatal crashes in Clark County
- How many people died in car accidents in Clark County in 2024?
- 41 people died in 41 fatal crashes in Clark County, Washington, in 2024, 10.8% more than in 2023. That is 7.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.2 across Washington.
- What is the deadliest road in Clark County?
- I-5 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Clark County from 2015 to 2024: 24, with 26 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Clark County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 19 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Clark County involved a drinking driver?
- 95 of 300 fatal crashes in Clark County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 32%, against 31% across Washington.
Other counties in Washington with a page
- King County
- Pierce County
- Snohomish County
- Spokane County
- Yakima County
- Thurston County
- Grant County
- Kitsap County
- Benton County
- Skagit County
- Whatcom County
- Cowlitz County
All fatal crashes in Washington, with every county ranked.
Where the Clark County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Clark County (county code 11). A fatal crash is one in which someone died within 30 days. The rate per 100,000 uses the Census Bureau's population estimate for the county; it is the only figure here not counted from FARS. The full method.