Fatal crashes in Kootenai County, Idaho
In 2024, 12 people died in 12 fatal crashes in Kootenai County, Idaho, down from 19 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 143 fatal crashes and 154 deaths, the 3rd most of 44 counties in Idaho.
6.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 11.9 across Idaho in 2024; 9.1 against 13.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 188,323, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Idaho.
Deaths in Kootenai County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 12 | 12 |
| 2023 | 17 | 19 |
| 2022 | 9 | 12 |
| 2021 | 20 | 20 |
| 2020 | 13 | 13 |
| 2019 | 15 | 15 |
| 2018 | 18 | 18 |
| 2017 | 18 | 19 |
| 2016 | 13 | 15 |
| 2015 | 8 | 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 Kootenai County
US 95 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Kootenai County from 2015 to 2024: 32, with 36 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 53% of all fatal crashes in Kootenai County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 1 US route, 3 state highways. 60% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 40% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 95 | 32 | 36 | 5 | |
| 2 | I-90 | 18 | 19 | 5 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 53 | 13 | 14 | 3 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 41 | 7 | 7 | 3 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 3 | 6 | 6 | 3 | no page |
Post Falls had 12% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 17 of 143.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Post Falls 17, Hayden 9, Coeur D Alene 7, Coeur D'Alene 7, Rathdrum 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 Kootenai County
141 fatal crashes in Kootenai County, Idaho 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 5 pm to 6 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 | 2.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 5.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan3.5%
- Feb6.3%
- Mar5.6%
- Apr4.9%
- May9.1%
- Jun11.2%
- Jul9.8%
- Aug8.4%
- Sep11.2%
- Oct14.0%
- Nov9.1%
- Dec7.0%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Kootenai County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 41%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 28%, a rollover in 15%, a pedestrian in 6.3%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 58 | 41% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 40 | 28% |
| Rollover | 22 | 15% |
| Pedestrian | 9 | 6.3% |
| Other | 9 | 6.3% |
| Cyclist | 4 | 2.8% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.7% |
| 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 Kootenai County compare with Idaho
The largest difference from Idaho: from 2015 to 2024, 66% of fatal crashes in Kootenai County were on rural roads, against 75% across Idaho. Below the Idaho share: unbelted occupants. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Idaho. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 143 crashes.
| Kootenai | Idaho | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 66% | 75% | below the Idaho share |
| At or near an intersection | 25% | 21% | about the same as the Idaho share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 27% | 27% | about the same as the Idaho share |
| A drinking driver | 34% | 31% | about the same as the Idaho share |
| Speeding | 29% | 22% | about the same as the Idaho share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 19% | 15% | about the same as the Idaho share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 50% | 58% | below the Idaho share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.7% | 1.7% | about the same as the Idaho share |
| A motorcycle involved | 18% | 14% | about the same as the Idaho share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 6.5% | 6.9% | about the same as the Idaho 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 Kootenai County, Idaho
- How many people died in car accidents in Kootenai County in 2024?
- 12 people died in 12 fatal crashes in Kootenai County, Idaho, in 2024, down from 19 in 2023. That is 6.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 11.9 across Idaho. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Kootenai County?
- US 95 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Kootenai County from 2015 to 2024: 32, with 36 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Kootenai County involved a drinking driver?
- 49 of 143 fatal crashes in Kootenai County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 34%, against 31% across Idaho.
Other counties in Idaho with a page
- Ada County
- Canyon County
- Bonneville County
- Twin Falls County
- Jerome County
- Bingham County
- Bannock County
- Elmore County
- Bonner County
- Idaho County
- Nez Perce County
- Cassia County
All fatal crashes in Idaho, with every county ranked.
Where the Kootenai County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Kootenai County (county code 55). 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/idaho/kootenai-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”