Fatal crashes in Douglas County, Wisconsin
In 2024, 12 people died in 9 fatal crashes in Douglas County, Wisconsin, up from 6 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 51 fatal crashes and 55 deaths, the 40th most of 72 counties in Wisconsin.
27.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10 across Wisconsin in 2024; 12.6 against 10.2 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 44,276, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Wisconsin.
Deaths in Douglas County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 | 12 |
| 2023 | 6 | 6 |
| 2022 | 6 | 7 |
| 2021 | 8 | 8 |
| 2020 | 5 | 5 |
| 2019 | 4 | 4 |
| 2018 | 3 | 3 |
| 2017 | 4 | 4 |
| 2016 | 2 | 2 |
| 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 Douglas County
US 53 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Douglas County from 2015 to 2024: 10, with 10 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 43% of all fatal crashes in Douglas County from 2015 to 2024; 2 US routes, 1 state highway. 53% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 47% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 53 | 10 | 10 | 2 | no page |
| 2 | State Highway 35 | 7 | 8 | 4 | |
| 3 | US 2 | 5 | 6 | 4 | no page |
Superior had 24% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 12 of 51.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Superior 12. 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 Douglas County
48 fatal crashes in Douglas 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 6 pm to 7 pm; the worst month is August.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 6.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Fri | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 8.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 10.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 8.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan9.8%
- Feb0.0%
- Mar3.9%
- Apr5.9%
- May11.8%
- Jun7.8%
- Jul13.7%
- Aug17.6%
- Sep7.8%
- Oct9.8%
- Nov9.8%
- Dec2.0%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Douglas County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 31%; a collision with another vehicle in 24%, a rollover in 18%, a pedestrian in 7.8%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 16 | 31% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 12 | 24% |
| Other | 10 | 20% |
| Rollover | 9 | 18% |
| Pedestrian | 4 | 7.8% |
| 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 Douglas County compare with Wisconsin
From 2015 to 2024, every share for Douglas County is within chance of the Wisconsin share. 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 51 crashes.
| Douglas | Wisconsin | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 71% | 63% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| At or near an intersection | 22% | 28% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 35% | 27% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| A drinking driver | 43% | 33% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| Speeding | 39% | 31% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 9.8% | 9.9% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 52% | 48% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.0% | 5.4% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| A motorcycle involved | 24% | 17% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 7.3% | 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 Douglas County, Wisconsin
- How many people died in car accidents in Douglas County in 2024?
- 12 people died in 9 fatal crashes in Douglas County, Wisconsin, in 2024, up from 6 in 2023. That is 27.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10 across Wisconsin. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Douglas County?
- US 53 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Douglas County from 2015 to 2024: 10, with 10 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Douglas County involved a drinking driver?
- 22 of 51 fatal crashes in Douglas County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 43%, 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 Douglas County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Douglas County (county code 31). 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/douglas-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”