Fatal crashes in Plumas County, California
In 2024, 2 people died in 2 fatal crashes in Plumas County, California, up from none reported in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 44 fatal crashes and 48 deaths, the 53rd most of 58 counties in California.
Deaths in Plumas County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 2 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 5 | 5 |
| 2021 | 6 | 7 |
| 2020 | 4 | 4 |
| 2019 | 3 | 3 |
| 2018 | 4 | 6 |
| 2017 | 6 | 6 |
| 2016 | 9 | 10 |
| 2015 | 5 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Plumas County
State Highway 70 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Plumas County from 2015 to 2024: 22, with 26 deaths. The 2 roads listed held 66% of all fatal crashes in Plumas County from 2015 to 2024; 2 state highways. 75% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 25% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Highway 70 | 22 | 26 | 2 | |
| 2 | State Highway 89 | 7 | 7 | 3 | no page |
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 Plumas County
41 fatal crashes in Plumas 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 7 pm to 8 pm; the worst month is July.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 4.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 12.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Tue | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 7.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 9.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 7.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan2.3%
- Feb2.3%
- Mar9.1%
- Apr2.3%
- May9.1%
- Jun6.8%
- Jul15.9%
- Aug6.8%
- Sep11.4%
- Oct6.8%
- Nov13.6%
- Dec13.6%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Plumas County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 50%; a collision with another vehicle in 23%, a rollover in 14%, a pedestrian in 2.3%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 22 | 50% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 10 | 23% |
| Rollover | 6 | 14% |
| Other | 5 | 11% |
| Pedestrian | 1 | 2.3% |
| 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 Plumas County compare with California
The largest difference from California: from 2015 to 2024, 100% of fatal crashes in Plumas County were on rural roads, against 30% across California. Below the California share: 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 44 crashes.
| Plumas | California | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 100% | 30% | above the California share |
| At or near an intersection | 9.1% | 27% | below the California share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 34% | 25% | about the same as the California share |
| A drinking driver | 36% | 28% | about the same as the California share |
| Speeding | 39% | 30% | about the same as the California share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 4.5% | 4.1% | about the same as the California share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 33% | 38% | about the same as the California share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.0% | 11% | below the California share |
| A motorcycle involved | 11% | 15% | about the same as the California share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 2.1% | 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 Plumas County, California
- How many people died in car accidents in Plumas County in 2024?
- 2 people died in 2 fatal crashes in Plumas County, California, in 2024, up from none reported in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Plumas County?
- State Highway 70 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Plumas County from 2015 to 2024: 22, with 26 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Plumas County involved a drinking driver?
- 16 of 44 fatal crashes in Plumas County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 36%, 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 Plumas County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Plumas County (county code 63). 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/plumas-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”