Fatal crashes in Monterey County, California
In 2024, 45 people died in 43 fatal crashes in Monterey County, California, 15.4% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 444 fatal crashes and 481 deaths, the 17th most of 58 counties in California.
10.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.8 across California in 2024; 11 against 10.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 436,251, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in California.
Deaths in Monterey County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 43 | 45 |
| 2023 | 36 | 39 |
| 2022 | 49 | 57 |
| 2021 | 43 | 47 |
| 2020 | 47 | 50 |
| 2019 | 32 | 35 |
| 2018 | 44 | 47 |
| 2017 | 53 | 57 |
| 2016 | 50 | 55 |
| 2015 | 47 | 49 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Monterey County
US 101 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Monterey County from 2015 to 2024: 84, with 93 deaths. The 6 roads listed held 44% of all fatal crashes in Monterey County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 5 state highways. 45% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 55% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 101 | 84 | 93 | 26 | |
| 2 | State Highway 1 | 65 | 69 | 23 | |
| 3 | State Highway 68 | 20 | 22 | 7 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 183 | 16 | 18 | 5 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 156 | 6 | 6 | 1 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 198 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
Salinas had 11% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 51 of 444.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Salinas 51, Monterey 11, Seaside 7, Marina 5. 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 Monterey County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 21 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 11 pm to midnight; the worst month is August.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 3.2 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 17 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 21 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.9 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 21 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.7%
- Feb5.2%
- Mar6.8%
- Apr8.8%
- May9.2%
- Jun9.0%
- Jul7.9%
- Aug11.0%
- Sep9.2%
- Oct10.1%
- Nov6.8%
- Dec8.3%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Monterey County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 38%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 28%, a pedestrian in 21%, a rollover in 7.9%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 167 | 38% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 125 | 28% |
| Pedestrian | 92 | 21% |
| Rollover | 35 | 7.9% |
| Other | 15 | 3.4% |
| Cyclist | 6 | 1.4% |
| Parked vehicle | 4 | 0.9% |
| 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 Monterey County compare with California
The largest difference from California: from 2015 to 2024, 54% of fatal crashes in Monterey County were on rural roads, against 30% across California. Also above the California share: unlit roads at night, drinking drivers and distracted drivers. Below it: intersections, speeding, motorcycles 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 444 crashes.
| Monterey | California | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 54% | 30% | above the California share |
| At or near an intersection | 16% | 27% | below the California share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 39% | 25% | above the California share |
| A drinking driver | 37% | 28% | above the California share |
| Speeding | 21% | 30% | below the California share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 6.1% | 4.1% | above the California share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 36% | 38% | about the same as the California share |
| Hit-and-run | 9.5% | 11% | about the same as the California share |
| A motorcycle involved | 11% | 15% | below the California share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 20% | 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 Monterey County, California
- How many people died in car accidents in Monterey County in 2024?
- 45 people died in 43 fatal crashes in Monterey County, California, in 2024, 15.4% more than in 2023. That is 10.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.8 across California. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Monterey County?
- US 101 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Monterey County from 2015 to 2024: 84, with 93 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Monterey County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 21 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Monterey County involved a drinking driver?
- 164 of 444 fatal crashes in Monterey County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 37%, 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 Monterey County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Monterey County (county code 53). 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/monterey-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”