Fatal crashes in Wapello County, Iowa
In 2024, 4 people died in 4 fatal crashes in Wapello County, Iowa, the same as in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 37 fatal crashes and 41 deaths, the 22nd most of 99 counties in Iowa.
Deaths in Wapello County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 4 |
| 2023 | 3 | 4 |
| 2022 | 3 | 3 |
| 2021 | 5 | 5 |
| 2020 | 4 | 4 |
| 2019 | 5 | 5 |
| 2018 | 4 | 4 |
| 2017 | 3 | 4 |
| 2016 | 4 | 6 |
| 2015 | 2 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Numbered roads with fatal crashes in Wapello County
The 2 roads listed held 41% of all fatal crashes in Wapello County from 2015 to 2024; 2 US routes. 51% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 49% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 63 | 9 | 11 | 1 | no page |
| 2 | US 34 | 6 | 6 | 3 |
Ottumwa had 41% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 15 of 37.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Ottumwa 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 Wapello County
37 fatal crashes in Wapello County, Iowa 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 3 pm to 4 pm; the worst month is August.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 8.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Tue | 2.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 8.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 8.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 8.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan2.7%
- Feb0.0%
- Mar10.8%
- Apr13.5%
- May2.7%
- Jun10.8%
- Jul10.8%
- Aug16.2%
- Sep13.5%
- Oct8.1%
- Nov5.4%
- Dec5.4%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Wapello County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 46%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 35%, a rollover in 14%, a pedestrian in 2.7%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 17 | 46% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 13 | 35% |
| Rollover | 5 | 14% |
| Pedestrian | 1 | 2.7% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 2.7% |
| Parked vehicle | 0 | 0.0% |
| Other | 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 Wapello County compare with Iowa
From 2015 to 2024, every share for Wapello County is within chance of the Iowa share. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Iowa. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 37 crashes.
| Wapello | Iowa | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 65% | 72% | about the same as the Iowa share |
| At or near an intersection | 35% | 27% | about the same as the Iowa share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 16% | 28% | about the same as the Iowa share |
| A drinking driver | 19% | 25% | about the same as the Iowa share |
| Speeding | 11% | 20% | about the same as the Iowa share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 0.0% | 7.0% | about the same as the Iowa share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 42% | 45% | about the same as the Iowa share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.0% | 2.0% | about the same as the Iowa share |
| A motorcycle involved | 22% | 17% | about the same as the Iowa share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 2.4% | 7.1% | about the same as the Iowa 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 Wapello County, Iowa
- How many people died in car accidents in Wapello County in 2024?
- 4 people died in 4 fatal crashes in Wapello County, Iowa, in 2024, the same as in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- How many fatal crashes in Wapello County involved a drinking driver?
- 7 of 37 fatal crashes in Wapello County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 19%, against 25% across Iowa.
Other counties in Iowa with a page
- Polk County
- Scott County
- Linn County
- Pottawattamie County
- Black Hawk County
- Woodbury County
- Johnson County
- Dubuque County
- Lee County
- Webster County
- Dallas County
- Cerro Gordo County
All fatal crashes in Iowa, with every county ranked.
Where the Wapello County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Wapello County (county code 179). 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/iowa/wapello-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”