Fatal crashes in Kanawha County, West Virginia
In 2024, 28 people died in 27 fatal crashes in Kanawha County, 7.7% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 248 fatal crashes and 268 deaths, the most of any county in West Virginia.
16.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 14.5 across West Virginia in 2024; 14.9 against 15.2 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 173,906, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in West Virginia.
Deaths in Kanawha County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 27 | 28 |
| 2023 | 23 | 26 |
| 2022 | 20 | 24 |
| 2021 | 33 | 36 |
| 2020 | 23 | 23 |
| 2019 | 15 | 16 |
| 2018 | 35 | 40 |
| 2017 | 30 | 31 |
| 2016 | 20 | 21 |
| 2015 | 22 | 23 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Kanawha County
US 60 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Kanawha County from 2015 to 2024: 49, with 53 deaths. The 9 roads listed held 63% of all fatal crashes in Kanawha County from 2015 to 2024; 3 are interstates, 2 US routes, 4 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 60 | 49 | 53 | 18 | |
| 2 | US 119 | 29 | 30 | 9 | |
| 3 | I-77 | 26 | 31 | 5 | |
| 4 | I-79 | 15 | 18 | 3 | |
| 5 | I-64 | 10 | 10 | 4 | |
| 6 | State Highway 25 | 8 | 8 | 1 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 94 | 7 | 8 | 0 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 61 | 6 | 6 | 3 | no page |
| 9 | State Highway 114 | 5 | 5 | 1 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Charleston 60, South Charleston 20, Sissonville 17, Dunbar 9, Clendenin 8, St. Albans 8, Hernshaw 7, Big Chimney 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 Kanawha County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 4 to 8 pm, with 15 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 7 pm to 8 pm; the worst month is October.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 6.0 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.3%
- Feb4.4%
- Mar9.3%
- Apr5.2%
- May6.5%
- Jun11.3%
- Jul5.6%
- Aug8.1%
- Sep9.7%
- Oct14.1%
- Nov10.5%
- Dec8.1%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Kanawha County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 35%; a collision with another vehicle in 32%, a pedestrian in 22%, a rollover in 3.6%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 86 | 35% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 80 | 32% |
| Pedestrian | 54 | 22% |
| Rollover | 9 | 3.6% |
| Cyclist | 8 | 3.2% |
| Other | 7 | 2.8% |
| Parked vehicle | 4 | 1.6% |
| 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 Kanawha County compare with West Virginia
A drinking driver was recorded in 26% of fatal crashes in Kanawha County from 2015 to 2024, about the West Virginia share; speeding in 27%, about the West Virginia share; a hit-and-run in 7.3%, above the West Virginia share of 3.3%; a driver recorded as distracted in 4.8%, about the West Virginia share; 54% 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.
| Kanawha | West Virginia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 32% | 64% | below the West Virginia share |
| At or near an intersection | 17% | 12% | above the West Virginia share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 32% | 32% | about the same as the West Virginia share |
| A drinking driver | 26% | 27% | about the same as the West Virginia share |
| Speeding | 27% | 27% | about the same as the West Virginia share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 4.8% | 4.4% | about the same as the West Virginia share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 54% | 52% | above the West Virginia share |
| Hit-and-run | 7.3% | 3.3% | above the West Virginia share |
| A motorcycle involved | 11% | 13% | below the West Virginia share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 20% | 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 Kanawha County
- How many people died in car accidents in Kanawha County in 2024?
- 28 people died in 27 fatal crashes in Kanawha County, West Virginia, in 2024, 7.7% more than in 2023. That is 16.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 14.5 across West Virginia.
- What is the deadliest road in Kanawha County?
- US 60 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Kanawha County from 2015 to 2024: 49, with 53 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Kanawha County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 4 to 8 pm, with 15 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Kanawha County involved a drinking driver?
- 65 of 248 fatal crashes in Kanawha County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 26%, against 27% across West Virginia.
Other counties in West Virginia with a page
- Berkeley 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 Kanawha County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Kanawha County (county code 39). 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.