Fatal crashes in Columbia County, Wisconsin
In 2024, 12 people died in 8 fatal crashes in Columbia County, Wisconsin, up from 6 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 92 fatal crashes and 114 deaths, the 16th most of 72 counties in Wisconsin.
20.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10 across Wisconsin in 2024; 19.8 against 10.2 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 58,113, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Wisconsin.
Deaths in Columbia County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | 12 |
| 2023 | 6 | 6 |
| 2022 | 7 | 10 |
| 2021 | 13 | 14 |
| 2020 | 11 | 14 |
| 2019 | 7 | 9 |
| 2018 | 8 | 11 |
| 2017 | 6 | 7 |
| 2016 | 17 | 21 |
| 2015 | 9 | 10 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Columbia County
I-39 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Columbia County from 2015 to 2024: 10, with 15 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 43% of all fatal crashes in Columbia County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 1 US route, 3 state highways. 55% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 45% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-39 | 10 | 15 | 2 | |
| 2 | State Highway 33 | 10 | 14 | 3 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 60 | 8 | 12 | 2 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 16 | 6 | 6 | 0 | no page |
| 5 | US 51 | 6 | 6 | 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 Columbia County
91 fatal crashes in Columbia County, Wisconsin 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 June.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 3.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 5.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Tue | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 6.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 6.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan10.9%
- Feb4.3%
- Mar4.3%
- Apr12.0%
- May6.5%
- Jun13.0%
- Jul10.9%
- Aug10.9%
- Sep7.6%
- Oct4.3%
- Nov10.9%
- Dec4.3%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Columbia County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 48%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 27%, a rollover in 11%, a pedestrian in 5.4%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 44 | 48% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 25 | 27% |
| Rollover | 10 | 11% |
| Other | 6 | 6.5% |
| Pedestrian | 5 | 5.4% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 1.1% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 1.1% |
| 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 Columbia County compare with Wisconsin
The largest difference from Wisconsin: from 2015 to 2024, 92% of fatal crashes in Columbia County were on rural roads, against 63% across Wisconsin. Below the Wisconsin share: intersections and speeding. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Wisconsin. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 92 crashes.
| Columbia | Wisconsin | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 92% | 63% | above the Wisconsin share |
| At or near an intersection | 17% | 28% | below the Wisconsin share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 19% | 27% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| A drinking driver | 24% | 33% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| Speeding | 21% | 31% | below the Wisconsin share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 11% | 9.9% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 38% | 48% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| Hit-and-run | 3.3% | 5.4% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| A motorcycle involved | 17% | 17% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 5.3% | 9.5% | about the same as the Wisconsin 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 Columbia County, Wisconsin
- How many people died in car accidents in Columbia County in 2024?
- 12 people died in 8 fatal crashes in Columbia County, Wisconsin, in 2024, up from 6 in 2023. That is 20.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10 across Wisconsin. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Columbia County?
- I-39 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Columbia County from 2015 to 2024: 10, with 15 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Columbia County involved a drinking driver?
- 22 of 92 fatal crashes in Columbia County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 24%, against 33% across Wisconsin.
Other counties in Wisconsin with a page
- Milwaukee County
- Dane County
- Waukesha County
- Rock County
- Racine County
- Kenosha County
- Brown County
- Walworth County
- Outagamie County
- Dodge County
- Marathon County
- Fond du Lac County
All fatal crashes in Wisconsin, with every county ranked.
Where the Columbia County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Columbia County (county code 21). 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/wisconsin/columbia-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”