Fatal crashes in Putnam County, West Virginia
In 2024, 4 people died in 4 fatal crashes in Putnam County, 33.3% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 58 fatal crashes and 62 deaths, the 15th most of any county in West Virginia.
Deaths in Putnam County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 4 |
| 2023 | 3 | 3 |
| 2022 | 5 | 5 |
| 2021 | 5 | 6 |
| 2020 | 2 | 2 |
| 2019 | 13 | 14 |
| 2018 | 8 | 9 |
| 2017 | 9 | 10 |
| 2016 | 5 | 5 |
| 2015 | 4 | 4 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Putnam County
US 35 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Putnam County from 2015 to 2024: 16, with 19 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 59% of all fatal crashes in Putnam County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 1 US route, 1 state highway. 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 35 | 16 | 19 | 7 | no page |
| 2 | I-64 | 13 | 14 | 0 | |
| 3 | State Highway 34 | 5 | 5 | 2 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Hurricane 14, Fraziers Bottom 8, Red House 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 Putnam 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 | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 8.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 6.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 8.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 5.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 5.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan13.8%
- Feb3.4%
- Mar5.2%
- Apr3.4%
- May10.3%
- Jun6.9%
- Jul15.5%
- Aug6.9%
- Sep5.2%
- Oct17.2%
- Nov6.9%
- Dec5.2%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Putnam County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 40%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 38%, a rollover in 10%, a pedestrian in 8.6%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 23 | 40% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 22 | 38% |
| Rollover | 6 | 10% |
| Pedestrian | 5 | 8.6% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 1.7% |
| Other | 1 | 1.7% |
| Cyclist | 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 Putnam County compare with West Virginia
A drinking driver was recorded in 22% of fatal crashes in Putnam County from 2015 to 2024, below the West Virginia share of 27%; speeding in 31%, above the West Virginia share of 27%; a hit-and-run in 1.7%, below the West Virginia share of 3.3%; a driver recorded as distracted in 5.2%, about the West Virginia share; 27% 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.
| Putnam | West Virginia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 43% | 64% | below the West Virginia share |
| At or near an intersection | 8.6% | 12% | below the West Virginia share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 31% | 32% | about the same as the West Virginia share |
| A drinking driver | 22% | 27% | below the West Virginia share |
| Speeding | 31% | 27% | above the West Virginia share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 5.2% | 4.4% | about the same as the West Virginia share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 27% | 52% | below the West Virginia share |
| Hit-and-run | 1.7% | 3.3% | below the West Virginia share |
| A motorcycle involved | 6.9% | 13% | below the West Virginia share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 8.1% | 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 Putnam County
- How many people died in car accidents in Putnam County in 2024?
- 4 people died in 4 fatal crashes in Putnam County, West Virginia, in 2024, 33.3% more than in 2023.
- What is the deadliest road in Putnam County?
- US 35 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Putnam County from 2015 to 2024: 16, with 19 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Putnam County involved a drinking driver?
- 13 of 58 fatal crashes in Putnam 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
- Nicholas County
All fatal crashes in West Virginia, with every county ranked.
Where the Putnam County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Putnam County (county code 79). 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.