Fatal crashes in Rock County, Wisconsin
In 2024, 16 people died in 12 fatal crashes in Rock County, 23.1% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 191 fatal crashes and 210 deaths, the 4th most of any county in Wisconsin.
9.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10 across Wisconsin in 2024; 12.9 against 10.2 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 165,461, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Wisconsin.
Deaths in Rock County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 12 | 16 |
| 2023 | 13 | 13 |
| 2022 | 15 | 17 |
| 2021 | 29 | 31 |
| 2020 | 22 | 25 |
| 2019 | 22 | 23 |
| 2018 | 28 | 31 |
| 2017 | 13 | 13 |
| 2016 | 20 | 23 |
| 2015 | 17 | 18 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Rock County
US 14 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Rock County from 2015 to 2024: 21, with 25 deaths. The 9 roads listed held 51% of all fatal crashes in Rock County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 2 US routes, 5 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 14 | 21 | 25 | 5 | |
| 2 | I-39 | 15 | 15 | 3 | |
| 3 | State Highway 81 | 12 | 12 | 1 | no page |
| 4 | US 51 | 12 | 12 | 1 | |
| 5 | State Highway 59 | 9 | 10 | 1 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 213 | 9 | 9 | 1 | no page |
| 7 | I-43 | 7 | 9 | 1 | |
| 8 | State Highway 11 | 7 | 7 | 2 | |
| 9 | State Highway 26 | 6 | 7 | 2 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Janesville 33, Beloit 25. 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 Rock County
The heaviest slot is Thursday, noon to 4 pm, with 10 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 3 pm to 4 pm; the worst month is September.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.3%
- Feb9.4%
- Mar6.8%
- Apr9.9%
- May9.4%
- Jun7.9%
- Jul9.4%
- Aug10.5%
- Sep11.0%
- Oct8.4%
- Nov6.8%
- Dec4.2%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Rock County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 49%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 28%, a rollover in 8.9%, a pedestrian in 6.3%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 94 | 49% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 54 | 28% |
| Rollover | 17 | 8.9% |
| Pedestrian | 12 | 6.3% |
| Parked vehicle | 7 | 3.7% |
| Other | 6 | 3.1% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 0.5% |
| 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 Rock County compare with Wisconsin
A drinking driver was recorded in 41% of fatal crashes in Rock County from 2015 to 2024, above the Wisconsin share of 33%; speeding in 29%, below the Wisconsin share of 31%; a hit-and-run in 3.7%, below the Wisconsin share of 5.4%; a driver recorded as distracted in 12%, above the Wisconsin share of 9.9%; 52% 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.
| Rock | Wisconsin | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 59% | 63% | below the Wisconsin share |
| At or near an intersection | 28% | 28% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 26% | 27% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| A drinking driver | 41% | 33% | above the Wisconsin share |
| Speeding | 29% | 31% | below the Wisconsin share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 12% | 9.9% | above the Wisconsin share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 52% | 48% | above the Wisconsin share |
| Hit-and-run | 3.7% | 5.4% | below the Wisconsin share |
| A motorcycle involved | 16% | 17% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 7.1% | 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 Rock County
- How many people died in car accidents in Rock County in 2024?
- 16 people died in 12 fatal crashes in Rock County, Wisconsin, in 2024, 23.1% more than in 2023. That is 9.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10 across Wisconsin.
- What is the deadliest road in Rock County?
- US 14 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Rock County from 2015 to 2024: 21, with 25 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Rock County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Thursday, noon to 4 pm, with 10 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Rock County involved a drinking driver?
- 79 of 191 fatal crashes in Rock County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 41%, against 33% across Wisconsin.
Other counties in Wisconsin with a page
- Milwaukee County
- Dane County
- Waukesha 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 Rock County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Rock County (county code 105). 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.