Fatal crashes in Nicholas County, West Virginia
In 2024, 6 people died in 6 fatal crashes in Nicholas County, West Virginia, down from 7 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 59 fatal crashes and 63 deaths, the 12th most of 55 counties in West Virginia.
Deaths in Nicholas County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | 6 |
| 2023 | 6 | 7 |
| 2022 | 7 | 7 |
| 2021 | 4 | 5 |
| 2020 | 5 | 6 |
| 2019 | 7 | 8 |
| 2018 | 6 | 6 |
| 2017 | 8 | 8 |
| 2016 | 9 | 9 |
| 2015 | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Nicholas County
US 19 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Nicholas County from 2015 to 2024: 15, with 17 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 73% of all fatal crashes in Nicholas County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 4 state highways. 80% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 20% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 19 | 15 | 17 | 5 | |
| 2 | State Highway 39 | 8 | 9 | 4 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 41 | 7 | 7 | 3 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 55 | 7 | 7 | 0 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 20 | 6 | 6 | 3 |
Summersville had 27% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 16 of 59.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Summersville 16, Birch River 6, Craigsville 5, Nettie 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 Nicholas County
59 fatal crashes in Nicholas 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 4 pm to 5 pm; the worst month is March.
| 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 | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 5.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 5.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 6.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 8.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 6.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 6.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 6.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan1.7%
- Feb8.5%
- Mar13.6%
- Apr6.8%
- May13.6%
- Jun5.1%
- Jul13.6%
- Aug6.8%
- Sep6.8%
- Oct8.5%
- Nov8.5%
- Dec6.8%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Nicholas County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 39%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 39%, a pedestrian in 8.5%, a rollover in 6.8%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 23 | 39% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 23 | 39% |
| Pedestrian | 5 | 8.5% |
| Rollover | 4 | 6.8% |
| Other | 2 | 3.4% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 1.7% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 1.7% |
| 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 Nicholas County compare with West Virginia
The largest difference from West Virginia: from 2015 to 2024, 100% of fatal crashes in Nicholas County were on rural roads, against 64% across West Virginia. 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 59 crashes.
| Nicholas | West Virginia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 100% | 64% | above the West Virginia share |
| At or near an intersection | 15% | 12% | about the same as the West Virginia share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 31% | 32% | about the same as the West Virginia share |
| A drinking driver | 22% | 27% | about the same as the West Virginia share |
| Speeding | 24% | 27% | about the same as the West Virginia share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 6.8% | 4.4% | about the same as the West Virginia share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 49% | 52% | about the same as the West Virginia share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.0% | 3.3% | about the same as the West Virginia share |
| A motorcycle involved | 12% | 13% | about the same as the West Virginia share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 7.9% | 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 Nicholas County, West Virginia
- How many people died in car accidents in Nicholas County in 2024?
- 6 people died in 6 fatal crashes in Nicholas County, West Virginia, in 2024, down from 7 in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Nicholas County?
- US 19 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Nicholas County from 2015 to 2024: 15, with 17 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Nicholas County involved a drinking driver?
- 13 of 59 fatal crashes in Nicholas County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 22%, 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
- Jefferson County
- Logan County
- Harrison County
- Putnam County
All fatal crashes in West Virginia, with every county ranked.
Where the Nicholas County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Nicholas County (county code 67). 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/nicholas-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”