Fatal crashes in Berkeley County, West Virginia
In 2024, 21 people died in 19 fatal crashes in Berkeley County, 133.3% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 136 fatal crashes and 147 deaths, the 2nd most of any county in West Virginia.
15.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 14.5 across West Virginia in 2024; 12 against 15.2 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 136,287, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in West Virginia.
Deaths in Berkeley County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 19 | 21 |
| 2023 | 8 | 9 |
| 2022 | 11 | 11 |
| 2021 | 19 | 20 |
| 2020 | 17 | 19 |
| 2019 | 15 | 15 |
| 2018 | 14 | 16 |
| 2017 | 10 | 10 |
| 2016 | 14 | 16 |
| 2015 | 9 | 10 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Berkeley County
I-81 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Berkeley County from 2015 to 2024: 31, with 37 deaths. The 4 roads listed held 55% of all fatal crashes in Berkeley County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 1 US route, 2 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-81 | 31 | 37 | 6 | no page |
| 2 | US 11 | 19 | 21 | 7 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 9 | 15 | 15 | 4 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 45 | 10 | 12 | 3 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Martinsburg 57, Hedgesville 13, Inwood 10, Falling Waters 8, Bunker Hill 7, Gerrardstown 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 Berkeley County
The heaviest slot is Wednesday, 4 to 8 pm, with 12 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 4 pm to 5 pm; the worst month is December.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 4.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 8.8 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 5.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan9.6%
- Feb6.6%
- Mar5.9%
- Apr5.9%
- May5.9%
- Jun10.3%
- Jul11.0%
- Aug8.1%
- Sep6.6%
- Oct10.3%
- Nov7.4%
- Dec12.5%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Berkeley County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 38%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 35%, a pedestrian in 11%, a rollover in 5.9%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 51 | 38% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 48 | 35% |
| Pedestrian | 15 | 11% |
| Other | 10 | 7.4% |
| Rollover | 8 | 5.9% |
| Parked vehicle | 3 | 2.2% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 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 Berkeley County compare with West Virginia
A drinking driver was recorded in 33% of fatal crashes in Berkeley County from 2015 to 2024, above the West Virginia share of 27%; speeding in 40%, above the West Virginia share of 27%; a hit-and-run in 5.1%, above the West Virginia share of 3.3%; a driver recorded as distracted in 5.1%, about the West Virginia share; 55% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above the West Virginia share of 52%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of West Virginia. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Berkeley | West Virginia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 28% | 64% | below the West Virginia share |
| At or near an intersection | 10% | 12% | below the West Virginia share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 44% | 32% | above the West Virginia share |
| A drinking driver | 33% | 27% | above the West Virginia share |
| Speeding | 40% | 27% | above the West Virginia share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 5.1% | 4.4% | about the same as the West Virginia share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 55% | 52% | above the West Virginia share |
| Hit-and-run | 5.1% | 3.3% | above the West Virginia share |
| A motorcycle involved | 17% | 13% | above the West Virginia share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 12% | 8.7% | above the West Virginia 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 Berkeley County
- How many people died in car accidents in Berkeley County in 2024?
- 21 people died in 19 fatal crashes in Berkeley County, West Virginia, in 2024, 133.3% more than in 2023. That is 15.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 14.5 across West Virginia.
- What is the deadliest road in Berkeley County?
- I-81 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Berkeley County from 2015 to 2024: 31, with 37 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Berkeley County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Wednesday, 4 to 8 pm, with 12 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Berkeley County involved a drinking driver?
- 45 of 136 fatal crashes in Berkeley County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 33%, against 27% across West Virginia.
Other counties in West Virginia with a page
- Kanawha County
- Raleigh County
- Cabell County
- Wood County
- Monongalia County
- Mercer County
- Wayne County
- Jefferson County
- Logan County
- Harrison County
- Nicholas County
- Putnam County
All fatal crashes in West Virginia, with every county ranked.
Where the Berkeley County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Berkeley County (county code 3). 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.