Fatal crashes in Jefferson County, West Virginia
In 2024, 11 people died in 9 fatal crashes in Jefferson County, 120.0% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 69 fatal crashes and 79 deaths, the 9th most of any county in West Virginia.
18 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 14.5 across West Virginia in 2024; 13.6 against 15.2 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 61,264, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in West Virginia.
Deaths in Jefferson County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 | 11 |
| 2023 | 4 | 5 |
| 2022 | 7 | 9 |
| 2021 | 3 | 3 |
| 2020 | 13 | 15 |
| 2019 | 7 | 7 |
| 2018 | 4 | 4 |
| 2017 | 5 | 7 |
| 2016 | 6 | 7 |
| 2015 | 11 | 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 Jefferson County
US 340 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Jefferson County from 2015 to 2024: 16, with 21 deaths. The 4 roads listed held 55% of all fatal crashes in Jefferson County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 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 | US 340 | 16 | 21 | 8 | no page |
| 2 | State Highway 9 | 11 | 12 | 3 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 51 | 6 | 9 | 2 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 115 | 5 | 5 | 1 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Charles Town 17, Harpers Ferry 8, Ranson 8, Shepherdstown 6, Rippon 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 Jefferson 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 | 10.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 7.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 7.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan10.1%
- Feb7.2%
- Mar7.2%
- Apr11.6%
- May7.2%
- Jun5.8%
- Jul13.0%
- Aug10.1%
- Sep5.8%
- Oct8.7%
- Nov7.2%
- Dec5.8%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Jefferson County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 44%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 42%, a pedestrian in 5.8%, a rollover in 5.8%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 30 | 44% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 29 | 42% |
| Pedestrian | 4 | 5.8% |
| Rollover | 4 | 5.8% |
| Other | 2 | 2.9% |
| Cyclist | 0 | 0.0% |
| Parked vehicle | 0 | 0.0% |
| 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 Jefferson County compare with West Virginia
A drinking driver was recorded in 30% of fatal crashes in Jefferson County from 2015 to 2024, above the West Virginia share of 27%; speeding in 22%, below the West Virginia share of 27%; a hit-and-run in 1.4%, below the West Virginia share of 3.3%; a driver recorded as distracted in 1.4%, below the West Virginia share of 4.4%; 46% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below 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.
| Jefferson | West Virginia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 59% | 64% | below the West Virginia share |
| At or near an intersection | 26% | 12% | above the West Virginia share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 29% | 32% | below the West Virginia share |
| A drinking driver | 30% | 27% | above the West Virginia share |
| Speeding | 22% | 27% | below the West Virginia share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 1.4% | 4.4% | below the West Virginia share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 46% | 52% | below the West Virginia share |
| Hit-and-run | 1.4% | 3.3% | below the West Virginia share |
| A motorcycle involved | 16% | 13% | above the West Virginia share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 5.1% | 8.7% | below 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 Jefferson County
- How many people died in car accidents in Jefferson County in 2024?
- 11 people died in 9 fatal crashes in Jefferson County, West Virginia, in 2024, 120.0% more than in 2023. That is 18 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 14.5 across West Virginia.
- What is the deadliest road in Jefferson County?
- US 340 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Jefferson County from 2015 to 2024: 16, with 21 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Jefferson County involved a drinking driver?
- 21 of 69 fatal crashes in Jefferson County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 30%, against 27% across West Virginia.
Other counties in West Virginia with a page
- Kanawha County
- Berkeley County
- Raleigh County
- Cabell County
- Wood County
- Monongalia County
- Mercer County
- Wayne County
- Logan County
- Harrison County
- Nicholas County
- Putnam County
All fatal crashes in West Virginia, with every county ranked.
Where the Jefferson County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Jefferson County (county code 37). 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.