Fatal crashes in Jefferson County, Illinois
In 2024, 9 people died in 9 fatal crashes in Jefferson County, Illinois, down from 11 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 71 fatal crashes and 78 deaths, the 28th most of 102 counties in Illinois.
Deaths in Jefferson County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 | 9 |
| 2023 | 8 | 11 |
| 2022 | 5 | 6 |
| 2021 | 8 | 9 |
| 2020 | 8 | 8 |
| 2019 | 7 | 8 |
| 2018 | 5 | 5 |
| 2017 | 10 | 10 |
| 2016 | 10 | 11 |
| 2015 | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Jefferson County
I-57 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Jefferson County from 2015 to 2024: 17, with 20 deaths. The 4 roads listed held 63% of all fatal crashes in Jefferson County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 2 state highways. 72% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 28% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-57 | 17 | 20 | 4 | |
| 2 | State Highway 37 | 11 | 11 | 4 | |
| 3 | State Highway 15 | 9 | 9 | 5 | |
| 4 | I-64 | 8 | 8 | 1 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Mount Vernon 9. 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 Jefferson County
70 fatal crashes in Jefferson County, Illinois 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 2 pm to 3 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 | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Tue | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Wed | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 8.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Sat | 5.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.6%
- Feb5.6%
- Mar11.3%
- Apr5.6%
- May8.5%
- Jun12.7%
- Jul15.5%
- Aug5.6%
- Sep7.0%
- Oct9.9%
- Nov7.0%
- Dec5.6%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Jefferson County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 44%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 23%, a pedestrian in 11%, a rollover in 11%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 31 | 44% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 16 | 23% |
| Pedestrian | 8 | 11% |
| Rollover | 8 | 11% |
| Other | 6 | 8.5% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 1.4% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 1.4% |
| 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 Jefferson County compare with Illinois
The largest difference from Illinois: from 2015 to 2024, 80% of fatal crashes in Jefferson County were on rural roads, against 34% across Illinois. Also above the Illinois share: unbelted occupants. Below it: speeding. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Illinois. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 71 crashes.
| Jefferson | Illinois | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 80% | 34% | above the Illinois share |
| At or near an intersection | 20% | 30% | about the same as the Illinois share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 31% | 25% | about the same as the Illinois share |
| A drinking driver | 23% | 27% | about the same as the Illinois share |
| Speeding | 23% | 37% | below the Illinois share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 4.2% | 9.8% | about the same as the Illinois share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 66% | 46% | above the Illinois share |
| Hit-and-run | 4.2% | 8.4% | about the same as the Illinois share |
| A motorcycle involved | 11% | 14% | about the same as the Illinois share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 12% | 16% | about the same as the Illinois 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 Jefferson County, Illinois
- How many people died in car accidents in Jefferson County in 2024?
- 9 people died in 9 fatal crashes in Jefferson County, Illinois, in 2024, down from 11 in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Jefferson County?
- I-57 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Jefferson County from 2015 to 2024: 17, with 20 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Jefferson County involved a drinking driver?
- 16 of 71 fatal crashes in Jefferson County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 23%, against 27% across Illinois.
Other counties in Illinois with a page
- Cook County
- Will County
- Lake County
- DuPage County
- St. Clair County
- Madison County
- Kane County
- Winnebago County
- Sangamon County
- McHenry County
- LaSalle County
- Peoria County
All fatal crashes in Illinois, with every county ranked.
Where the Jefferson County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Jefferson County (county code 81). 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/illinois/jefferson-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”