Fatal crashes in McDowell County, West Virginia
In 2024, 3 people died in 2 fatal crashes in McDowell County, West Virginia, up from 1 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 43 fatal crashes and 44 deaths, the 22nd most of 55 counties in West Virginia.
Deaths in McDowell County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 | 3 |
| 2021 | 4 | 4 |
| 2020 | 5 | 5 |
| 2019 | 6 | 6 |
| 2018 | 6 | 6 |
| 2017 | 5 | 5 |
| 2016 | 7 | 7 |
| 2015 | 4 | 4 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Numbered roads with fatal crashes in McDowell County
The 2 roads listed held 37% of all fatal crashes in McDowell County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 1 state highway. 49% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 51% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 52 | 9 | 9 | 0 | no page |
| 2 | State Highway 16 | 7 | 7 | 2 |
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 McDowell County
42 fatal crashes in McDowell County, West Virginia from 2015 to 2024 have a known time, too few for any one weekday and time of day to stand out. The worst hour is 3 pm to 4 pm; the worst month is April.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 7.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 9.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 7.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Thu | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 7.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Sat | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 7.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.0%
- Feb4.7%
- Mar7.0%
- Apr14.0%
- May11.6%
- Jun9.3%
- Jul9.3%
- Aug7.0%
- Sep4.7%
- Oct14.0%
- Nov9.3%
- Dec2.3%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in McDowell County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 49%; a collision with another vehicle in 26%, a rollover in 16%, a pedestrian in 4.7%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 21 | 49% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 11 | 26% |
| Rollover | 7 | 16% |
| Pedestrian | 2 | 4.7% |
| Other | 2 | 4.7% |
| 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 McDowell County compare with West Virginia
The largest difference from West Virginia: from 2015 to 2024, 100% of fatal crashes in McDowell County were on rural roads, against 64% across West Virginia. Below the West Virginia share: intersections. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of West Virginia. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 43 crashes.
| McDowell | West Virginia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 100% | 64% | above the West Virginia share |
| At or near an intersection | 2.3% | 12% | below the West Virginia share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 31% | 32% | about the same as the West Virginia share |
| A drinking driver | 40% | 27% | about the same as the West Virginia share |
| Speeding | 16% | 27% | about the same as the West Virginia share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 0.0% | 4.4% | about the same as the West Virginia share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | Not enough data | 52% | |
| Hit-and-run | 2.3% | 3.3% | about the same as the West Virginia share |
| A motorcycle involved | 14% | 13% | about the same as the West Virginia share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 4.5% | 8.7% | about the same as 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 McDowell County, West Virginia
- How many people died in car accidents in McDowell County in 2024?
- 3 people died in 2 fatal crashes in McDowell County, West Virginia, in 2024, up from 1 in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- How many fatal crashes in McDowell County involved a drinking driver?
- 17 of 43 fatal crashes in McDowell County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 40%, against 27% across West Virginia.
Other counties in West Virginia with a page
- Kanawha County
- Berkeley County
- Raleigh County
- Cabell County
- Monongalia County
- Wood County
- Mercer County
- Wayne County
- Jefferson County
- Logan County
- Harrison County
- Nicholas County
All fatal crashes in West Virginia, with every county ranked.
Where the McDowell County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in McDowell County (county code 47). 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. Totals from state highway departments and news reports can differ: they count from their own crash reports, often before every death within 30 days is known, while NHTSA's file is checked against death certificates and revised once a year. The full method.
Download every county with a page as CSV. Free to reuse with credit: “Fatal Crash Data, fatalcrashdata.com/fatal-crashes/west-virginia/mcdowell-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”