Fatal crashes in Calaveras County, California
In 2024, 13 people died in 11 fatal crashes in Calaveras County, California, down from 14 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 121 fatal crashes and 131 deaths, the 42nd most of 58 counties in California.
28 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.8 across California in 2024; 28.6 against 10.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 46,505, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in California.
Deaths in Calaveras County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 11 | 13 |
| 2023 | 12 | 14 |
| 2022 | 16 | 16 |
| 2021 | 14 | 14 |
| 2020 | 8 | 9 |
| 2019 | 10 | 11 |
| 2018 | 12 | 14 |
| 2017 | 19 | 20 |
| 2016 | 8 | 9 |
| 2015 | 11 | 11 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Calaveras County
State Highway 4 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Calaveras County from 2015 to 2024: 27, with 31 deaths. The 4 roads listed held 60% of all fatal crashes in Calaveras County from 2015 to 2024; 4 state highways. 61% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 39% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Highway 4 | 27 | 31 | 7 | |
| 2 | State Highway 49 | 21 | 22 | 8 | |
| 3 | State Highway 26 | 15 | 16 | 5 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 12 | 10 | 11 | 3 |
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 Calaveras County
113 fatal crashes in Calaveras County, California 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 2 pm to 3 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 | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 8.0 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Tue | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 5.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 6.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan3.3%
- Feb8.3%
- Mar4.1%
- Apr9.1%
- May9.1%
- Jun8.3%
- Jul9.9%
- Aug7.4%
- Sep14.0%
- Oct5.8%
- Nov9.9%
- Dec10.7%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Calaveras County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 41%; a collision with another vehicle in 34%, a rollover in 17%, a pedestrian in 2.5%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 49 | 41% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 41 | 34% |
| Rollover | 21 | 17% |
| Other | 6 | 5.0% |
| Pedestrian | 3 | 2.5% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.8% |
| 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 Calaveras County compare with California
The largest difference from California: from 2015 to 2024, 97% of fatal crashes in Calaveras County were on rural roads, against 30% across California. Also above the California share: unlit roads at night, drinking drivers and motorcycles. Below it: intersections, hit-and-runs and pedestrians. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of California. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 121 crashes.
| Calaveras | California | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 97% | 30% | above the California share |
| At or near an intersection | 7.5% | 27% | below the California share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 36% | 25% | above the California share |
| A drinking driver | 41% | 28% | above the California share |
| Speeding | 22% | 30% | about the same as the California share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 2.5% | 4.1% | about the same as the California share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 32% | 38% | about the same as the California share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.8% | 11% | below the California share |
| A motorcycle involved | 26% | 15% | above the California share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 2.3% | 26% | below the California 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 Calaveras County, California
- How many people died in car accidents in Calaveras County in 2024?
- 13 people died in 11 fatal crashes in Calaveras County, California, in 2024, down from 14 in 2023. That is 28 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.8 across California. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Calaveras County?
- State Highway 4 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Calaveras County from 2015 to 2024: 27, with 31 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Calaveras County involved a drinking driver?
- 49 of 121 fatal crashes in Calaveras County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 41%, against 28% across California.
Other counties in California with a page
- Los Angeles County
- San Bernardino County
- Riverside County
- San Diego County
- Orange County
- Sacramento County
- Kern County
- Fresno County
- Santa Clara County
- San Joaquin County
- Alameda County
- Contra Costa County
All fatal crashes in California, with every county ranked.
Where the Calaveras County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Calaveras County (county code 9). 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/california/calaveras-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”