Fatal crashes in Washington County, Wisconsin
In 2024, 10 people died in 10 fatal crashes in Washington County, Wisconsin, down from 16 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 93 fatal crashes and 99 deaths, the 15th most of 72 counties in Wisconsin.
7.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10 across Wisconsin in 2024; 7.3 against 10.2 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 138,727, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Wisconsin.
Deaths in Washington County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 | 10 |
| 2023 | 15 | 16 |
| 2022 | 10 | 11 |
| 2021 | 10 | 10 |
| 2020 | 4 | 4 |
| 2019 | 9 | 12 |
| 2018 | 10 | 10 |
| 2017 | 7 | 7 |
| 2016 | 9 | 10 |
| 2015 | 9 | 9 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Washington County
I-41 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Washington County from 2015 to 2024: 16, with 18 deaths. The 4 roads listed held 41% of all fatal crashes in Washington County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 1 US route, 2 state highways. 58% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 42% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-41 | 16 | 18 | 3 | |
| 2 | US 45 | 9 | 9 | 4 | |
| 3 | State Highway 33 | 7 | 7 | 3 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 175 | 6 | 6 | 1 | no page |
Germantown had 13% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 12 of 93.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Germantown 12, Richfield 9. 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 Washington County
89 fatal crashes in Washington 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 11 am to noon; the worst month is July.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 6.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 5.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 6.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Fri | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan3.2%
- Feb8.6%
- Mar9.7%
- Apr7.5%
- May5.4%
- Jun8.6%
- Jul15.1%
- Aug11.8%
- Sep14.0%
- Oct7.5%
- Nov3.2%
- Dec5.4%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Washington County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 40%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 34%, a rollover in 8.6%, a pedestrian in 7.5%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 37 | 40% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 32 | 34% |
| Rollover | 8 | 8.6% |
| Pedestrian | 7 | 7.5% |
| Other | 6 | 6.5% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 2.2% |
| Cyclist | 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 Washington County compare with Wisconsin
From 2015 to 2024, every share for Washington 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 93 crashes.
| Washington | Wisconsin | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 57% | 63% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| At or near an intersection | 28% | 28% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 33% | 27% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| A drinking driver | 31% | 33% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| Speeding | 29% | 31% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 11% | 9.9% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 49% | 48% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.2% | 5.4% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| A motorcycle involved | 20% | 17% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 8.1% | 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 Washington County, Wisconsin
- How many people died in car accidents in Washington County in 2024?
- 10 people died in 10 fatal crashes in Washington County, Wisconsin, in 2024, down from 16 in 2023. That is 7.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10 across Wisconsin. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Washington County?
- I-41 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Washington County from 2015 to 2024: 16, with 18 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Washington County involved a drinking driver?
- 29 of 93 fatal crashes in Washington 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 Washington County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Washington County (county code 131). 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/washington-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”