Fatal crashes in Clay County, Arkansas
In 2024, 14 people died in 6 fatal crashes in Clay County, Arkansas, up from 1 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 41 fatal crashes and 54 deaths, the 44th most of 75 counties in Arkansas.
99.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 19.5 across Arkansas in 2024; 37 against 19.3 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 14,112, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Arkansas.
Deaths in Clay County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | 14 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 | 3 |
| 2021 | 7 | 8 |
| 2020 | 1 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 | 2 |
| 2018 | 5 | 7 |
| 2017 | 5 | 5 |
| 2016 | 5 | 7 |
| 2015 | 6 | 6 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Clay County
US 67 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Clay County from 2015 to 2024: 12, with 13 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 56% of all fatal crashes in Clay County from 2015 to 2024; 2 US routes, 1 state highway. 76% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 24% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
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 Clay County
41 fatal crashes in Clay County, Arkansas 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 noon to 1 pm; the worst month is February.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 7.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 7.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 7.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 7.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Fri | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.3%
- Feb14.6%
- Mar9.8%
- Apr12.2%
- May4.9%
- Jun4.9%
- Jul4.9%
- Aug9.8%
- Sep7.3%
- Oct14.6%
- Nov2.4%
- Dec7.3%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Clay 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 24%, a rollover in 9.8%, a pedestrian in 0.0%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 22 | 54% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 10 | 24% |
| Other | 5 | 12% |
| Rollover | 4 | 9.8% |
| Pedestrian | 0 | 0.0% |
| Cyclist | 0 | 0.0% |
| 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 Clay County compare with Arkansas
The largest difference from Arkansas: from 2015 to 2024, 95% of fatal crashes in Clay County were on rural roads, against 63% across Arkansas. Below the Arkansas share: motorcycles and pedestrians. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Arkansas. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 41 crashes.
| Clay | Arkansas | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 95% | 63% | above the Arkansas share |
| At or near an intersection | 15% | 15% | about the same as the Arkansas share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 34% | 34% | about the same as the Arkansas share |
| A drinking driver | 27% | 27% | about the same as the Arkansas share |
| Speeding | 15% | 22% | about the same as the Arkansas share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 2.4% | 3.6% | about the same as the Arkansas share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 56% | 54% | about the same as the Arkansas share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.0% | 3.9% | about the same as the Arkansas share |
| A motorcycle involved | 0.0% | 15% | below the Arkansas share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 0.0% | 11% | below the Arkansas 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 Clay County, Arkansas
- How many people died in car accidents in Clay County in 2024?
- 14 people died in 6 fatal crashes in Clay County, Arkansas, in 2024, up from 1 in 2023. That is 99.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 19.5 across Arkansas. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Clay County?
- US 67 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Clay County from 2015 to 2024: 12, with 13 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Clay County involved a drinking driver?
- 11 of 41 fatal crashes in Clay County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 27%, against 27% across Arkansas.
Other counties in Arkansas with a page
- Pulaski County
- Washington County
- Benton County
- Garland County
- Craighead County
- Faulkner County
- White County
- Sebastian County
- Saline County
- Crittenden County
- Jefferson County
- Lonoke County
All fatal crashes in Arkansas, with every county ranked.
Where the Clay County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Clay County (county code 21). 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/arkansas/clay-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”