Fatal crashes in Santa Cruz County, California
In 2024, 16 people died in 16 fatal crashes in Santa Cruz County, California, 36.0% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 201 fatal crashes and 214 deaths, the 34th most of 58 counties in California.
6.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.8 across California in 2024; 7.9 against 10.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 262,406, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in California.
Deaths in Santa Cruz County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 16 | 16 |
| 2023 | 24 | 25 |
| 2022 | 25 | 27 |
| 2021 | 26 | 28 |
| 2020 | 17 | 18 |
| 2019 | 20 | 20 |
| 2018 | 22 | 22 |
| 2017 | 16 | 19 |
| 2016 | 20 | 20 |
| 2015 | 15 | 19 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Santa Cruz County
State Highway 1 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Santa Cruz County from 2015 to 2024: 38, with 41 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 41% of all fatal crashes in Santa Cruz County from 2015 to 2024; 5 state highways. 43% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 57% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Highway 1 | 38 | 41 | 11 | |
| 2 | State Highway 129 | 13 | 14 | 5 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 9 | 13 | 13 | 4 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 152 | 10 | 11 | 3 | |
| 5 | State Highway 17 | 9 | 9 | 6 |
Watsonville had 14% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 28 of 201.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Watsonville 28, Santa Cruz 25. 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 Santa Cruz County
The heaviest slot is Sunday, 8 pm to midnight, with 13 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 6 pm to 7 pm; the worst month is March.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 3.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 6.6 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 6.6 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.0%
- Feb9.5%
- Mar11.9%
- Apr5.5%
- May7.0%
- Jun7.5%
- Jul7.5%
- Aug6.5%
- Sep8.5%
- Oct11.4%
- Nov11.9%
- Dec8.0%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Santa Cruz County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 33%; a pedestrian in 29%, a collision with another vehicle in 24%, a rollover in 5.0%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 66 | 33% |
| Pedestrian | 59 | 29% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 48 | 24% |
| Rollover | 10 | 5.0% |
| Other | 9 | 4.5% |
| Cyclist | 8 | 4.0% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.5% |
| 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 Santa Cruz County compare with California
From 2015 to 2024, every share for Santa Cruz County is within chance of the California share. 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 201 crashes.
| Santa Cruz | California | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 27% | 30% | about the same as the California share |
| At or near an intersection | 22% | 27% | about the same as the California share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 28% | 25% | about the same as the California share |
| A drinking driver | 33% | 28% | about the same as the California share |
| Speeding | 27% | 30% | about the same as the California share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 7.0% | 4.1% | above the California share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 42% | 38% | about the same as the California share |
| Hit-and-run | 9.0% | 11% | about the same as the California share |
| A motorcycle involved | 14% | 15% | about the same as the California share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 28% | 26% | about the same as 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 Santa Cruz County, California
- How many people died in car accidents in Santa Cruz County in 2024?
- 16 people died in 16 fatal crashes in Santa Cruz County, California, in 2024, 36.0% fewer than in 2023. That is 6.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.8 across California. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Santa Cruz County?
- State Highway 1 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Santa Cruz County from 2015 to 2024: 38, with 41 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Santa Cruz County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Sunday, 8 pm to midnight, with 13 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Santa Cruz County involved a drinking driver?
- 67 of 201 fatal crashes in Santa Cruz County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 33%, 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 Santa Cruz County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Santa Cruz County (county code 87). 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/santa-cruz-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”