Fatal crashes in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
In 2024, 93 people died in 84 fatal crashes in Milwaukee County, 1.1% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 780 fatal crashes and 861 deaths, the most of any county in Wisconsin.
10.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10 across Wisconsin in 2024; 9.2 against 10.2 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 924,740, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Wisconsin.
Deaths in Milwaukee County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 84 | 93 |
| 2023 | 83 | 92 |
| 2022 | 98 | 108 |
| 2021 | 80 | 85 |
| 2020 | 89 | 100 |
| 2019 | 67 | 74 |
| 2018 | 61 | 68 |
| 2017 | 80 | 86 |
| 2016 | 62 | 74 |
| 2015 | 76 | 81 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Milwaukee County
State Highway 145 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Milwaukee County from 2015 to 2024: 39, with 44 deaths. The 14 roads listed held 33% of all fatal crashes in Milwaukee County from 2015 to 2024; 3 are interstates, 1 US route, 10 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 145 | 39 | 44 | 16 | |
| 2 | State Highway 190 | 30 | 34 | 14 | |
| 3 | State Highway 100 | 26 | 28 | 13 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 181 | 20 | 23 | 5 | no page |
| 5 | I-41 | 19 | 19 | 7 | |
| 6 | State Highway 175 | 19 | 19 | 10 | no page |
| 7 | I-43 | 18 | 22 | 6 | |
| 8 | State Highway 57 | 17 | 18 | 5 | no page |
| 9 | State Highway 241 | 16 | 18 | 7 | no page |
| 10 | I-94 | 14 | 15 | 5 | |
| 11 | US 18 | 12 | 13 | 4 | |
| 12 | State Highway 38 | 12 | 12 | 4 | no page |
| 13 | State Highway 32 | 8 | 8 | 5 | |
| 14 | State Highway 59 | 8 | 8 | 3 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Milwaukee 571, West Allis 36, South Milwaukee 20, Greenfield 19, Wauwatosa 15, Franklin 11, Brown Deer 6. 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 Milwaukee County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 41 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 2 am to 3 am; the worst month is October.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 5.0 percent, 39 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 31 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 31 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.2 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 27 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 2.1 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 24 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 15 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 2.3 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 19 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 19 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.2 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 31 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 3.7 percent, 29 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 41 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.6 percent, 36 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 19 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 21 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 36 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.9%
- Feb7.2%
- Mar5.9%
- Apr9.6%
- May7.8%
- Jun9.4%
- Jul9.0%
- Aug9.5%
- Sep8.8%
- Oct11.2%
- Nov8.5%
- Dec6.3%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Milwaukee County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 41%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 27%, a pedestrian in 23%, a parked vehicle in 2.8%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 319 | 41% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 209 | 27% |
| Pedestrian | 179 | 23% |
| Other | 25 | 3.2% |
| Parked vehicle | 22 | 2.8% |
| Cyclist | 20 | 2.6% |
| Rollover | 6 | 0.8% |
| 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 Milwaukee County compare with Wisconsin
A drinking driver was recorded in 23% of fatal crashes in Milwaukee County from 2015 to 2024, below the Wisconsin share of 33%; speeding in 46%, above the Wisconsin share of 31%; a hit-and-run in 22%, above the Wisconsin share of 5.4%; a driver recorded as distracted in 5.3%, below the Wisconsin share of 9.9%; 67% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above the Wisconsin share of 48%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Wisconsin. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Milwaukee | Wisconsin | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 0.4% | 63% | below the Wisconsin share |
| At or near an intersection | 46% | 28% | above the Wisconsin share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 2.7% | 27% | below the Wisconsin share |
| A drinking driver | 23% | 33% | below the Wisconsin share |
| Speeding | 46% | 31% | above the Wisconsin share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 5.3% | 9.9% | below the Wisconsin share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 67% | 48% | above the Wisconsin share |
| Hit-and-run | 22% | 5.4% | above the Wisconsin share |
| A motorcycle involved | 13% | 17% | below the Wisconsin share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 23% | 9.5% | above 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 Milwaukee County
- How many people died in car accidents in Milwaukee County in 2024?
- 93 people died in 84 fatal crashes in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, in 2024, 1.1% more than in 2023. That is 10.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10 across Wisconsin.
- What is the deadliest road in Milwaukee County?
- State Highway 145 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Milwaukee County from 2015 to 2024: 39, with 44 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Milwaukee County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 41 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Milwaukee County involved a drinking driver?
- 178 of 780 fatal crashes in Milwaukee County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 23%, against 33% across Wisconsin.
Other counties in Wisconsin with a page
- Dane County
- Waukesha County
- Rock County
- Racine County
- Kenosha County
- Brown County
- Walworth County
- Outagamie County
- Dodge County
- Marathon County
- Fond du Lac County
- Winnebago County
All fatal crashes in Wisconsin, with every county ranked.
Where the Milwaukee County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Milwaukee 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.