Fatal crashes in DeKalb County, Alabama
In 2024, 21 people died in 20 fatal crashes in DeKalb County, Alabama, up from 11 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 164 fatal crashes and 174 deaths, the 18th most of 67 counties in Alabama.
28.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 18.7 across Alabama in 2024; 24.2 against 19.3 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 73,122, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Alabama.
Deaths in DeKalb County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 20 | 21 |
| 2023 | 11 | 11 |
| 2022 | 21 | 24 |
| 2021 | 17 | 17 |
| 2020 | 17 | 19 |
| 2019 | 17 | 17 |
| 2018 | 12 | 12 |
| 2017 | 19 | 22 |
| 2016 | 18 | 19 |
| 2015 | 12 | 12 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in DeKalb County
State Highway 75 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in DeKalb County from 2015 to 2024: 26, with 28 deaths. The 7 roads listed held 54% of all fatal crashes in DeKalb County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 6 state highways. 59% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 41% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Highway 75 | 26 | 28 | 10 | |
| 2 | I-59 | 21 | 22 | 4 | |
| 3 | State Highway 68 | 13 | 14 | 4 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 35 | 11 | 12 | 6 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 117 | 7 | 7 | 2 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 40 | 6 | 6 | 3 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 176 | 5 | 6 | 2 | no page |
Fort Payne had 9.1% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 15 of 164.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Fort Payne 15, Henagar 12, Rainsville 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 DeKalb County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 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 May.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Wed | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 6.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.9%
- Feb8.5%
- Mar10.4%
- Apr10.4%
- May12.2%
- Jun7.3%
- Jul7.3%
- Aug3.7%
- Sep8.5%
- Oct8.5%
- Nov9.1%
- Dec6.1%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in DeKalb County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 42%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 40%, a rollover in 7.9%, a pedestrian in 5.5%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 69 | 42% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 65 | 40% |
| Rollover | 13 | 7.9% |
| Pedestrian | 9 | 5.5% |
| Other | 5 | 3.0% |
| Parked vehicle | 3 | 1.8% |
| Cyclist | 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 DeKalb County compare with Alabama
The largest difference from Alabama: from 2015 to 2024, 90% of fatal crashes in DeKalb County were on rural roads, against 59% across Alabama. Also above the Alabama share: speeding, unbelted occupants and motorcycles. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Alabama. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 164 crashes.
| DeKalb | Alabama | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 90% | 59% | above the Alabama share |
| At or near an intersection | 18% | 18% | about the same as the Alabama share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 37% | 33% | about the same as the Alabama share |
| A drinking driver | 22% | 25% | about the same as the Alabama share |
| Speeding | 37% | 27% | above the Alabama share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 3.0% | 5.5% | about the same as the Alabama share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 66% | 58% | above the Alabama share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.4% | 3.9% | about the same as the Alabama share |
| A motorcycle involved | 15% | 10% | above the Alabama share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 7.5% | 12% | about the same as the Alabama 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 DeKalb County, Alabama
- How many people died in car accidents in DeKalb County in 2024?
- 21 people died in 20 fatal crashes in DeKalb County, Alabama, in 2024, up from 11 in 2023. That is 28.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 18.7 across Alabama. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in DeKalb County?
- State Highway 75 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in DeKalb County from 2015 to 2024: 26, with 28 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in DeKalb County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, noon to 4 pm, with 10 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in DeKalb County involved a drinking driver?
- 36 of 164 fatal crashes in DeKalb County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 22%, against 25% across Alabama.
Other counties in Alabama with a page
- Jefferson County
- Mobile County
- Madison County
- Montgomery County
- Tuscaloosa County
- Baldwin County
- Limestone County
- Cullman County
- Talladega County
- Calhoun County
- Shelby County
- Lee County
All fatal crashes in Alabama, with every county ranked.
Where the DeKalb County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in DeKalb County (county code 49). 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/alabama/dekalb-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”