Fatal crashes in DeSoto County, Florida
In 2024, 8 people died in 7 fatal crashes in DeSoto County, Florida, down from 13 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 117 fatal crashes and 134 deaths, the 47th most of 67 counties in Florida.
Deaths in DeSoto County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | 8 |
| 2023 | 12 | 13 |
| 2022 | 18 | 20 |
| 2021 | 14 | 14 |
| 2020 | 13 | 14 |
| 2019 | 8 | 8 |
| 2018 | 14 | 15 |
| 2017 | 12 | 15 |
| 2016 | 9 | 11 |
| 2015 | 10 | 16 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in DeSoto County
State Highway 70 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in DeSoto County from 2015 to 2024: 33, with 42 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 62% of all fatal crashes in DeSoto County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 2 state highways. 64% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 36% 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 | 33 | 42 | 10 | |
| 2 | US 17 | 31 | 33 | 9 | |
| 3 | State Highway 31 | 8 | 11 | 2 | no page |
Arcadia had 13% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 15 of 117.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Arcadia 15. 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 DeSoto County
117 fatal crashes in DeSoto County, Florida 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 6 pm to 7 pm; the worst month is October.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 5.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 3.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 5.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 6.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.8%
- Feb11.1%
- Mar11.1%
- Apr7.7%
- May6.0%
- Jun9.4%
- Jul6.8%
- Aug5.1%
- Sep6.0%
- Oct13.7%
- Nov8.5%
- Dec7.7%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in DeSoto County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in most fatal crashes, 55%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 21%, a pedestrian in 8.5%, a cyclist in 6.8%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 64 | 55% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 24 | 21% |
| Pedestrian | 10 | 8.5% |
| Cyclist | 8 | 6.8% |
| Other | 7 | 6.0% |
| Rollover | 4 | 3.4% |
| 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 DeSoto County compare with Florida
The largest difference from Florida: from 2015 to 2024, 65% of fatal crashes in DeSoto County were on rural roads, against 24% across Florida. Also above the Florida share: unlit roads at night and drinking drivers. Below it: pedestrians. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Florida. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 117 crashes.
| DeSoto | Florida | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 65% | 24% | above the Florida share |
| At or near an intersection | 33% | 35% | about the same as the Florida share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 41% | 24% | above the Florida share |
| A drinking driver | 28% | 21% | above the Florida share |
| Speeding | 6.0% | 9.8% | about the same as the Florida share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 6.8% | 7.9% | about the same as the Florida share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 37% | 45% | about the same as the Florida share |
| Hit-and-run | 4.3% | 7.6% | about the same as the Florida share |
| A motorcycle involved | 19% | 20% | about the same as the Florida share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 9.0% | 22% | below the Florida 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 DeSoto County, Florida
- How many people died in car accidents in DeSoto County in 2024?
- 8 people died in 7 fatal crashes in DeSoto County, Florida, in 2024, down from 13 in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in DeSoto County?
- State Highway 70 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in DeSoto County from 2015 to 2024: 33, with 42 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in DeSoto County involved a drinking driver?
- 33 of 117 fatal crashes in DeSoto County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 28%, against 21% across Florida.
Other counties in Florida with a page
- Miami-Dade County
- Broward County
- Hillsborough County
- Palm Beach County
- Orange County
- Duval County
- Polk County
- Pinellas County
- Volusia County
- Lee County
- Pasco County
- Brevard County
All fatal crashes in Florida, with every county ranked.
Where the DeSoto County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in DeSoto County (county code 27). 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/florida/desoto-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”