Fatal crashes in Yakima County, Washington
In 2024, 35 people died in 32 fatal crashes in Yakima County, 25.5% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 356 fatal crashes and 405 deaths, the 5th most of any county in Washington.
13.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.2 across Washington in 2024; 16 against 8.2 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 258,523, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Washington.
Deaths in Yakima County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 32 | 35 |
| 2023 | 44 | 47 |
| 2022 | 45 | 54 |
| 2021 | 48 | 58 |
| 2020 | 37 | 42 |
| 2019 | 32 | 35 |
| 2018 | 20 | 22 |
| 2017 | 42 | 47 |
| 2016 | 26 | 30 |
| 2015 | 30 | 35 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Yakima County
I-82 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Yakima County from 2015 to 2024: 37, with 41 deaths. The 8 roads listed held 34% of all fatal crashes in Yakima County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 2 US routes, 5 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-82 | 37 | 41 | 10 | |
| 2 | US 97 | 32 | 38 | 13 | |
| 3 | US 12 | 17 | 21 | 7 | |
| 4 | State Highway 22 | 13 | 20 | 3 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 241 | 7 | 7 | 3 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 823 | 6 | 6 | 1 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 24 | 5 | 6 | 2 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 821 | 5 | 6 | 3 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Yakima 52, Toppenish 9, Sunnyside 6. 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 Yakima County
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 19 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 3 pm to 4 pm; the worst month is September.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.8 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.5 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 15 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.8 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 19 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.3%
- Feb6.2%
- Mar8.1%
- Apr5.1%
- May9.3%
- Jun8.7%
- Jul9.6%
- Aug8.4%
- Sep12.6%
- Oct9.0%
- Nov7.9%
- Dec7.9%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Yakima County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 43%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 19%, a pedestrian in 17%, a rollover in 15%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 152 | 43% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 69 | 19% |
| Pedestrian | 59 | 17% |
| Rollover | 52 | 15% |
| Other | 15 | 4.2% |
| Cyclist | 7 | 2.0% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 0.6% |
| 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 Yakima County compare with Washington
A drinking driver was recorded in 37% of fatal crashes in Yakima County from 2015 to 2024, above the Washington share of 31%; speeding in 28%, below the Washington share of 31%; a hit-and-run in 7.3%, about the Washington share; a driver recorded as distracted in 16%, below the Washington share of 21%; 44% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above 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.
| Yakima | Washington | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 66% | 42% | above the Washington share |
| At or near an intersection | 26% | 26% | about the same as the Washington share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 36% | 24% | above the Washington share |
| A drinking driver | 37% | 31% | above the Washington share |
| Speeding | 28% | 31% | below the Washington share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 16% | 21% | below the Washington share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 44% | 40% | above the Washington share |
| Hit-and-run | 7.3% | 6.3% | about the same as the Washington share |
| A motorcycle involved | 7.0% | 17% | below the Washington share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 15% | 18% | below 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 Yakima County
- How many people died in car accidents in Yakima County in 2024?
- 35 people died in 32 fatal crashes in Yakima County, Washington, in 2024, 25.5% fewer than in 2023. That is 13.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.2 across Washington.
- What is the deadliest road in Yakima County?
- I-82 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Yakima County from 2015 to 2024: 37, with 41 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Yakima 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 Yakima County involved a drinking driver?
- 132 of 356 fatal crashes in Yakima County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 37%, against 31% across Washington.
Other counties in Washington with a page
- King County
- Pierce County
- Snohomish County
- Spokane 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 Yakima County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Yakima County (county code 77). 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.