Fatal crashes in Whatcom County, Washington
In 2024, 12 people died in 12 fatal crashes in Whatcom County, 40.0% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 141 fatal crashes and 150 deaths, the 12th most of any county in Washington.
5.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.2 across Washington in 2024; 6.6 against 8.2 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 234,954, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Washington.
Deaths in Whatcom County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 12 | 12 |
| 2023 | 19 | 20 |
| 2022 | 16 | 16 |
| 2021 | 16 | 19 |
| 2020 | 8 | 8 |
| 2019 | 14 | 15 |
| 2018 | 13 | 13 |
| 2017 | 21 | 24 |
| 2016 | 12 | 12 |
| 2015 | 10 | 11 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Whatcom County
I-5 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Whatcom County from 2015 to 2024: 26, with 27 deaths. The 4 roads listed held 34% of all fatal crashes in Whatcom County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 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 | 26 | 27 | 7 | |
| 2 | State Highway 542 | 8 | 10 | 1 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 539 | 7 | 7 | 5 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 9 | 7 | 7 | 3 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Bellingham 35, Ferndale 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 Whatcom County
Too few crashes to name a heaviest slot. The grid shows the shares; a share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 3.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan9.2%
- Feb6.4%
- Mar3.5%
- Apr6.4%
- May11.3%
- Jun9.2%
- Jul12.1%
- Aug10.6%
- Sep8.5%
- Oct5.0%
- Nov9.9%
- Dec7.8%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Whatcom County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 32%; a collision with another vehicle in 27%, a pedestrian in 20%, a cyclist in 6.4%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 45 | 32% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 38 | 27% |
| Pedestrian | 28 | 20% |
| Cyclist | 9 | 6.4% |
| Rollover | 9 | 6.4% |
| Other | 8 | 5.7% |
| Parked vehicle | 4 | 2.8% |
| 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 Whatcom County compare with Washington
A drinking driver was recorded in 26% of fatal crashes in Whatcom County from 2015 to 2024, below the Washington share of 31%; speeding in 38%, above the Washington share of 31%; a hit-and-run in 7.1%, about the Washington share; a driver recorded as distracted in 23%, above the Washington share of 21%; 38% 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.
| Whatcom | Washington | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 54% | 42% | above the Washington share |
| At or near an intersection | 23% | 26% | below the Washington share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 29% | 24% | above the Washington share |
| A drinking driver | 26% | 31% | below the Washington share |
| Speeding | 38% | 31% | above the Washington share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 23% | 21% | above the Washington share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 38% | 40% | below the Washington share |
| Hit-and-run | 7.1% | 6.3% | about the same as the Washington share |
| A motorcycle involved | 18% | 17% | above the Washington share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 22% | 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 Whatcom County
- How many people died in car accidents in Whatcom County in 2024?
- 12 people died in 12 fatal crashes in Whatcom County, Washington, in 2024, 40.0% fewer than in 2023. That is 5.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.2 across Washington.
- What is the deadliest road in Whatcom County?
- I-5 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Whatcom County from 2015 to 2024: 26, with 27 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Whatcom County involved a drinking driver?
- 37 of 141 fatal crashes in Whatcom County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 26%, against 31% across Washington.
Other counties in Washington with a page
- King County
- Pierce County
- Snohomish County
- Spokane County
- Yakima County
- Clark County
- Thurston County
- Grant County
- Kitsap County
- Benton County
- Skagit County
- Cowlitz County
All fatal crashes in Washington, with every county ranked.
Where the Whatcom County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Whatcom County (county code 73). 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.