Fatal crashes in Wood County, West Virginia
In 2024, 14 people died in 14 fatal crashes in Wood County, 55.6% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 98 fatal crashes and 100 deaths, the 6th most of any county in West Virginia.
16.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 14.5 across West Virginia in 2024; 11.9 against 15.2 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 82,757, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in West Virginia.
Deaths in Wood County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 14 | 14 |
| 2023 | 9 | 9 |
| 2022 | 8 | 8 |
| 2021 | 14 | 14 |
| 2020 | 14 | 16 |
| 2019 | 6 | 6 |
| 2018 | 7 | 7 |
| 2017 | 10 | 10 |
| 2016 | 8 | 8 |
| 2015 | 8 | 8 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Wood County
State Highway 14 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Wood County from 2015 to 2024: 19, with 20 deaths. The 6 roads listed held 66% of all fatal crashes in Wood County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 1 US route, 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 | State Highway 14 | 19 | 20 | 7 | no page |
| 2 | I-77 | 13 | 13 | 3 | |
| 3 | US 50 | 13 | 13 | 4 | |
| 4 | State Highway 68 | 8 | 8 | 2 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 2 | 6 | 6 | 2 | |
| 6 | State Highway 47 | 6 | 6 | 2 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Parkersburg 34, Walker 10, Williamstown 8, Mineral Wells 7, Washington 5, Vienna 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 Wood 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 | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 6.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 8.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 6.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 8.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 6.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.1%
- Feb9.2%
- Mar7.1%
- Apr9.2%
- May8.2%
- Jun10.2%
- Jul7.1%
- Aug6.1%
- Sep9.2%
- Oct6.1%
- Nov12.2%
- Dec10.2%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Wood County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 41%; a collision with another vehicle in 39%, a pedestrian in 8.2%, a rollover in 6.1%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 40 | 41% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 38 | 39% |
| Pedestrian | 8 | 8.2% |
| Rollover | 6 | 6.1% |
| Other | 4 | 4.1% |
| Cyclist | 2 | 2.0% |
| 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 Wood County compare with West Virginia
A drinking driver was recorded in 29% of fatal crashes in Wood County from 2015 to 2024, above the West Virginia share of 27%; speeding in 31%, above the West Virginia share of 27%; a hit-and-run in 2.0%, below the West Virginia share of 3.3%; a driver recorded as distracted in 3.1%, below the West Virginia share of 4.4%; 52% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, about the West Virginia share. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of West Virginia. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Wood | West Virginia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 42% | 64% | below the West Virginia share |
| At or near an intersection | 15% | 12% | above the West Virginia share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 34% | 32% | above the West Virginia share |
| A drinking driver | 29% | 27% | above the West Virginia share |
| Speeding | 31% | 27% | above the West Virginia share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 3.1% | 4.4% | below the West Virginia share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 52% | 52% | about the same as the West Virginia share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.0% | 3.3% | below the West Virginia share |
| A motorcycle involved | 15% | 13% | above the West Virginia share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 11% | 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 Wood County
- How many people died in car accidents in Wood County in 2024?
- 14 people died in 14 fatal crashes in Wood County, West Virginia, in 2024, 55.6% more than in 2023. That is 16.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 14.5 across West Virginia.
- What is the deadliest road in Wood County?
- State Highway 14 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Wood County from 2015 to 2024: 19, with 20 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Wood County involved a drinking driver?
- 28 of 98 fatal crashes in Wood County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 29%, against 27% across West Virginia.
Other counties in West Virginia with a page
- Kanawha County
- Berkeley County
- Raleigh County
- Cabell 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 Wood County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Wood County (county code 107). 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.