Fatal crashes in Pierce County, Washington
In 2024, 102 people died in 94 fatal crashes in Pierce County, 12.1% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 733 fatal crashes and 794 deaths, the 2nd most of any county in Washington.
10.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.2 across Washington in 2024; 8.8 against 8.2 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 941,170, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Washington.
Deaths in Pierce County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 94 | 102 |
| 2023 | 95 | 116 |
| 2022 | 86 | 87 |
| 2021 | 92 | 98 |
| 2020 | 67 | 73 |
| 2019 | 64 | 66 |
| 2018 | 51 | 57 |
| 2017 | 54 | 56 |
| 2016 | 67 | 73 |
| 2015 | 63 | 66 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Pierce County
State Highway 7 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Pierce County from 2015 to 2024: 75, with 78 deaths. The 14 roads listed held 36% of all fatal crashes in Pierce County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 13 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 | State Highway 7 | 75 | 78 | 39 | |
| 2 | I-5 | 60 | 67 | 21 | |
| 3 | State Highway 161 | 19 | 20 | 9 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 167 | 19 | 19 | 3 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 509 | 18 | 24 | 8 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 512 | 15 | 21 | 5 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 16 | 14 | 14 | 3 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 162 | 9 | 9 | 3 | no page |
| 9 | State Highway 302 | 7 | 7 | 3 | no page |
| 10 | State Highway 507 | 7 | 7 | 2 | no page |
| 11 | State Highway 410 | 6 | 6 | 1 | no page |
| 12 | State Highway 702 | 5 | 8 | 3 | no page |
| 13 | State Highway 99 | 5 | 6 | 1 | |
| 14 | State Highway 165 | 5 | 5 | 2 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Tacoma 198, Puyallup 29, Lakewood 27, Lakewood Center 17, Fife 15, Milton 8, University Place 7, Gig Harbor 7. 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 Pierce County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 48 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 8 pm to 9 pm; the worst month is August.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 4.4 percent, 32 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 19 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 21 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 19 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.5 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 15 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.4 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 26 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 22 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.9 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 21 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 14 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.8 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 26 fatal crashes | 6.5 percent, 48 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.6 percent, 34 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 27 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 24 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 29 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.8%
- Feb6.3%
- Mar7.9%
- Apr6.4%
- May9.5%
- Jun9.1%
- Jul10.0%
- Aug11.2%
- Sep9.5%
- Oct7.9%
- Nov8.9%
- Dec6.4%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Pierce County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 41%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 25%, a pedestrian in 21%, a rollover in 5.5%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 303 | 41% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 181 | 25% |
| Pedestrian | 153 | 21% |
| Rollover | 40 | 5.5% |
| Other | 27 | 3.7% |
| Parked vehicle | 16 | 2.2% |
| Cyclist | 13 | 1.8% |
| 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 Pierce County compare with Washington
A drinking driver was recorded in 29% of fatal crashes in Pierce County from 2015 to 2024, below the Washington share of 31%; speeding in 32%, above the Washington share of 31%; a hit-and-run in 8.2%, above the Washington share of 6.3%; a driver recorded as distracted in 20%, below the Washington share of 21%; 37% 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.
| Pierce | Washington | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 16% | 42% | below the Washington share |
| At or near an intersection | 31% | 26% | above the Washington share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 19% | 24% | below the Washington share |
| A drinking driver | 29% | 31% | below the Washington share |
| Speeding | 32% | 31% | above the Washington share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 20% | 21% | below the Washington share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 37% | 40% | below the Washington share |
| Hit-and-run | 8.2% | 6.3% | above the Washington share |
| A motorcycle involved | 18% | 17% | above the Washington share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 20% | 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 Pierce County
- How many people died in car accidents in Pierce County in 2024?
- 102 people died in 94 fatal crashes in Pierce County, Washington, in 2024, 12.1% fewer than in 2023. That is 10.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.2 across Washington.
- What is the deadliest road in Pierce County?
- State Highway 7 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Pierce County from 2015 to 2024: 75, with 78 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Pierce County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 48 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Pierce County involved a drinking driver?
- 214 of 733 fatal crashes in Pierce County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 29%, against 31% across Washington.
Other counties in Washington with a page
- King County
- Snohomish County
- Spokane County
- Yakima County
- Clark 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 Pierce County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Pierce County (county code 53). 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.