Counties with the most motor vehicle accident fatalities in Texas
Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons
Counties with the most motor vehicle accident fatalities in Texas
Media outlets were quick during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent lockdowns that defined the summer and fall of 2020 to note just how little traffic there was as a result. Simple logic would suggest that less traffic equals a lower likelihood of accidents and thus fewer injuries and fatalities. Sadly, this was not the case.
Nationwide, traffic fatalities rose 7.2% in 2020 to nearly 39,000. That number was the highest recorded since 2007. Qualifying this disturbing fact is a sticky wicket—common denominators behind traffic deaths such as impaired driving, failure to use a seat belt, and excessive speed were certainly contributing factors, but they alone do not account for a rise in deaths commensurate with a 430-million-mile drop in the number of miles people traveled across the course of the year. What can be qualified, however, is where fatal crashes took place.
Citing data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Stacker identified the counties in Texas that had the most fatalities from motor vehicle crashes in 2020. The number of accident fatalities are ranked by the number of deaths per 100,000 people, with the raw number functioning as a tiebreaker. The analysis only looked at counties with at least five deaths during 2020. Additional data is included on pedestrian, bicyclist, and drunk-driving-related deaths. In counties where at least five fatalities happened on the same street or interstate, the road with the most deaths is also included.
Renelibrary // Wikimedia Commons
#50. Titus County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 35.1 per 100K people (#310 nationally, 11 deaths)
– 0 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 2 deaths involving drunk drivers
– Road with most fatalities: US-271 (7 fatalities)
Billy Hathorn // Wikimedia Commons
#49. Ector County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 35.3 per 100K people (#301 nationally, 57 deaths)
– 14 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 21 deaths involving drunk drivers
– Road with most fatalities: I-20 (7 fatalities)
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#48. Uvalde County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 36.1 per 100K people (#282 nationally, 9 deaths)
– 0 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 0 deaths involving drunk drivers
– Road with most fatalities: US-83 (7 fatalities)
Carol M. Highsmith // Wikimedia Commons
#47. Gaines County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 37.8 per 100K people (#263 nationally, 8 deaths)
– 1 pedestrian death
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 1 death involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Billy Hathorn // Wikimedia Commons
#46. Harrison County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 37.9 per 100K people (#261 nationally, 26 deaths)
– 2 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 7 deaths involving drunk drivers
– Road with most fatalities: US-80 (5 fatalities)
Patrick Feller from Humble, Texas, USA // Wikimedia Commons
#45. Grimes County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 38.1 per 100K people (#259 nationally, 11 deaths)
– 0 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 2 deaths involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#44. Orange County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 38.8 per 100K people (#250 nationally, 33 deaths)
– 4 pedestrian deaths
– 2 bicyclist deaths
– 5 deaths involving drunk drivers
– Road with most fatalities: I-10 (8 fatalities)
Renelibrary // Wikimedia Commons
#43. Houston County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 40.4 per 100K people (#237 nationally, 9 deaths)
– 1 pedestrian death
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 2 deaths involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Billy Hathorn // Wikimedia Commons
#42. Howard County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 40.4 per 100K people (#235 nationally, 14 deaths)
– 3 pedestrian deaths
– 1 bicyclist death
– 1 death involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Billy Hathorn // Wikimedia Commons
#41. Shelby County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 41.2 per 100K people (#228 nationally, 10 deaths)
– 0 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 4 deaths involving drunk drivers
– Road with most fatalities: FM 2026 (5 fatalities)
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#40. Morris County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 41.7 per 100K people (#225 nationally, 5 deaths)
– 0 pedestrian deaths
– 1 bicyclist death
– 0 deaths involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#39. Hill County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 42.0 per 100K people (#220 nationally, 15 deaths)
– 0 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 4 deaths involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#38. Palo Pinto County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 42.4 per 100K people (#218 nationally, 12 deaths)
– 0 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 3 deaths involving drunk drivers
– Road with most fatalities: US-281 (6 fatalities)
Renelibrary // Wikimedia Commons
#37. Leon County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 44.1 per 100K people (#202 nationally, 7 deaths)
– 1 pedestrian death
– 1 bicyclist death
– 3 deaths involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Renelibrary // Wikimedia Commons
#36. Madison County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 44.2 per 100K people (#200 nationally, 6 deaths)
– 0 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 1 death involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#35. Milam County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 44.2 per 100K people (#198 nationally, 11 deaths)
– 0 pedestrian deaths
– 1 bicyclist death
– 1 death involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Canva
#34. Panola County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 44.3 per 100K people (#196 nationally, 10 deaths)
– 0 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 0 deaths involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Renelibrary // Wikimedia Commons
#33. Cass County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 45.3 per 100K people (#185 nationally, 13 deaths)
– 0 pedestrian deaths
– 1 bicyclist death
– 3 deaths involving drunk drivers
– Road with most fatalities: US-59 (5 fatalities)
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#32. Robertson County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 47.5 per 100K people (#158 nationally, 8 deaths)
– 1 pedestrian death
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 0 deaths involving drunk drivers
– Road with most fatalities: US-190 (6 fatalities)
Renelibrary // Wikimedia Commons
#31. Camp County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 48.0 per 100K people (#152 nationally, 6 deaths)
– 1 pedestrian death
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 1 death involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#30. Wharton County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 48.1 per 100K people (#151 nationally, 20 deaths)
– 2 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 1 death involving drunk drivers
– Road with most fatalities: US-59 (14 fatalities)
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#29. Colorado County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 48.6 per 100K people (#148 nationally, 10 deaths)
– 2 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 2 deaths involving drunk drivers
– Road with most fatalities: I-10 (5 fatalities)
Liveon001 // Wikimedia Commons
#28. Clay County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 48.8 per 100K people (#146 nationally, 5 deaths)
– 0 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 1 death involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#27. Callahan County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 50.8 per 100K people (#137 nationally, 7 deaths)
– 1 pedestrian death
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 1 death involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Renelibrary // Wikimedia Commons
#26. Marion County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 51.3 per 100K people (#134 nationally, 5 deaths)
– 1 pedestrian death
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 1 death involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#25. Live Oak County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 52.7 per 100K people (#125 nationally, 6 deaths)
– 1 pedestrian death
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 1 death involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Liveon001 ©Travis K. Witt // Wikimedia Commons
#24. Blanco County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 53.0 per 100K people (#124 nationally, 6 deaths)
– 2 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 4 deaths involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Billy Hathorn // Wikimedia Commons
#23. Jackson County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 53.4 per 100K people (#122 nationally, 8 deaths)
– 0 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 3 deaths involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Michael Barera // Wikimedia Commons
#22. Upshur County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 53.9 per 100K people (#120 nationally, 22 deaths)
– 1 pedestrian death
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 3 deaths involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#21. Nolan County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 54.3 per 100K people (#116 nationally, 8 deaths)
– 0 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 3 deaths involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#20. Newton County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 55.9 per 100K people (#104 nationally, 7 deaths)
– 0 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 1 death involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#19. Freestone County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 56.5 per 100K people (#101 nationally, 11 deaths)
– 1 pedestrian death
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 1 death involving drunk drivers
– Road with most fatalities: I-45 (6 fatalities)
Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons
#18. Runnels County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 60.7 per 100K people (#88 nationally, 6 deaths)
– 0 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 2 deaths involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Billy Hathorn // Wikimedia Commons
#17. Scurry County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 64.8 per 100K people (#77 nationally, 11 deaths)
– 0 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 1 death involving drunk drivers
– Road with most fatalities: US-180 (7 fatalities)
ProfReader // Wikimedia Commons
#16. Gonzales County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 65.9 per 100K people (#75 nationally, 13 deaths)
– 2 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 4 deaths involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Billy Hathorn // Wikimedia Commons
#15. Eastland County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 67.5 per 100K people (#69 nationally, 12 deaths)
– 0 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 4 deaths involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Billy Hathorn // Wikimedia Commons
#14. Dimmit County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 67.9 per 100K people (#65 nationally, 6 deaths)
– 0 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 1 death involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#13. Ward County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 70.3 per 100K people (#60 nationally, 8 deaths)
– 0 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 1 death involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#12. Fayette County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 77.7 per 100K people (#49 nationally, 19 deaths)
– 0 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 0 deaths involving drunk drivers
– Road with most fatalities: I-10 (6 fatalities)
Talshiarr // Wikimedia Commons
#11. Reeves County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 89.1 per 100K people (#34 nationally, 13 deaths)
– 1 pedestrian death
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 0 deaths involving drunk drivers
– Road with most fatalities: I-10 (5 fatalities)
Carol M. Highsmith // Wikimedia Commons
#10. Winkler County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 104.9 per 100K people (#21 nationally, 8 deaths)
– 0 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 3 deaths involving drunk drivers
– Road with most fatalities: SR-302 (6 fatalities)
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#9. Martin County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 115.1 per 100K people (#15 nationally, 6 deaths)
– 0 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 0 deaths involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons
#8. Crane County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 128.9 per 100K people (#12 nationally, 6 deaths)
– 0 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 0 deaths involving drunk drivers
– Road with most fatalities: US-385 (5 fatalities)
Billy Hathorn // Wikimedia Commons
#7. Kimble County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 139.7 per 100K people (#11 nationally, 6 deaths)
– 1 pedestrian death
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 0 deaths involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Canva
#6. Carson County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 153.7 per 100K people (#8 nationally, 9 deaths)
– 0 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 4 deaths involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#5. Real County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 175.3 per 100K people (#6 nationally, 5 deaths)
– 1 pedestrian death
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 1 death involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons
#4. Oldham County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 266.5 per 100K people (#5 nationally, 6 deaths)
– 0 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 0 deaths involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#3. Hudspeth County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 270.9 per 100K people (#4 nationally, 9 deaths)
– 0 pedestrian deaths
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 0 deaths involving drunk drivers
– Road with most fatalities: I-10 (5 fatalities)
Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons
#2. Sherman County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 297.0 per 100K people (#3 nationally, 7 deaths)
– 1 pedestrian death
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 1 death involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons
#1. Crockett County, Texas
– Motor vehicle crash fatalities: 340.3 per 100K people (#2 nationally, 10 deaths)
– 1 pedestrian death
– 0 bicyclist deaths
– 1 death involving drunk drivers
– No roads with at least five fatalities
