Fatal crashes in Polk County, Wisconsin
In 2024, 8 people died in 7 fatal crashes in Polk County, 50.0% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 83 fatal crashes and 98 deaths.
Deaths in Polk County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | 8 |
| 2023 | 13 | 16 |
| 2022 | 6 | 6 |
| 2021 | 8 | 8 |
| 2020 | 12 | 16 |
| 2019 | 9 | 11 |
| 2018 | 8 | 10 |
| 2017 | 7 | 8 |
| 2016 | 9 | 10 |
| 2015 | 4 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Polk County
US 8 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Polk County from 2015 to 2024: 15, with 20 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 55% of all fatal crashes in Polk County from 2015 to 2024; 2 US routes, 3 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 | US 8 | 15 | 20 | 4 | |
| 2 | State Highway 35 | 13 | 16 | 6 | |
| 3 | State Highway 46 | 7 | 8 | 0 | no page |
| 4 | US 63 | 6 | 8 | 3 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 65 | 5 | 5 | 3 | no page |
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 Polk 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 | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 6.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 6.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 2.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan2.4%
- Feb9.6%
- Mar2.4%
- Apr7.2%
- May13.3%
- Jun6.0%
- Jul9.6%
- Aug10.8%
- Sep13.3%
- Oct10.8%
- Nov8.4%
- Dec6.0%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Polk County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in most fatal crashes, 54%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 23%, a rollover in 15%, a pedestrian in 2.4%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 45 | 54% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 19 | 23% |
| Rollover | 12 | 15% |
| Other | 4 | 4.8% |
| Pedestrian | 2 | 2.4% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 1.2% |
| 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 Polk County compare with Wisconsin
A drinking driver was recorded in 31% of fatal crashes in Polk County from 2015 to 2024, below the Wisconsin share of 33%; speeding in 28%, below the Wisconsin share of 31%; a hit-and-run in 1.2%, below the Wisconsin share of 5.4%; a driver recorded as distracted in 13%, above the Wisconsin share of 9.9%; 41% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below 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.
| Polk | Wisconsin | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 94% | 63% | above the Wisconsin share |
| At or near an intersection | 30% | 28% | above the Wisconsin share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 32% | 27% | above the Wisconsin share |
| A drinking driver | 31% | 33% | below the Wisconsin share |
| Speeding | 28% | 31% | below the Wisconsin share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 13% | 9.9% | above the Wisconsin share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 41% | 48% | below the Wisconsin share |
| Hit-and-run | 1.2% | 5.4% | below the Wisconsin share |
| A motorcycle involved | 13% | 17% | below the Wisconsin share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 2.0% | 9.5% | below 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 Polk County
- How many people died in car accidents in Polk County in 2024?
- 8 people died in 7 fatal crashes in Polk County, Wisconsin, in 2024, 50.0% fewer than in 2023.
- What is the deadliest road in Polk County?
- US 8 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Polk County from 2015 to 2024: 15, with 20 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Polk County involved a drinking driver?
- 26 of 83 fatal crashes in Polk County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 31%, 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 Polk County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Polk County (county code 95). 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.