Fatal crashes in Riley County, Kansas
In 2024, 4 people died in 4 fatal crashes in Riley County, Kansas, down from 7 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 47 fatal crashes and 50 deaths, the 18th most of 105 counties in Kansas.
Deaths in Riley County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 4 |
| 2023 | 7 | 7 |
| 2022 | 3 | 4 |
| 2021 | 6 | 7 |
| 2020 | 6 | 7 |
| 2019 | 4 | 4 |
| 2018 | 4 | 4 |
| 2017 | 3 | 3 |
| 2016 | 4 | 4 |
| 2015 | 6 | 6 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Riley County
US 24 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Riley County from 2015 to 2024: 15, with 16 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 55% of all fatal crashes in Riley County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 1 US route, 1 state highway. 62% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 38% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
Manhattan had 36% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 17 of 47.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Manhattan 17. 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 Riley County
47 fatal crashes in Riley County, Kansas 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 September.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 6.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 6.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 8.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 6.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 6.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan10.6%
- Feb6.4%
- Mar8.5%
- Apr2.1%
- May6.4%
- Jun6.4%
- Jul8.5%
- Aug6.4%
- Sep14.9%
- Oct10.6%
- Nov8.5%
- Dec10.6%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Riley County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 38%; a collision with another vehicle in 36%, a pedestrian in 17%, a cyclist in 4.3%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 18 | 38% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 17 | 36% |
| Pedestrian | 8 | 17% |
| Cyclist | 2 | 4.3% |
| Rollover | 1 | 2.1% |
| Parked vehicle | 0 | 0.0% |
| Other | 0 | 0.0% |
| Not reported | 1 | 2.1% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
How fatal crashes in Riley County compare with Kansas
The largest difference from Kansas: from 2015 to 2024, 33% of occupants killed in Riley County were unbelted, against 51% across Kansas. Also above the Kansas share: pedestrians. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Kansas. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 47 crashes.
| Riley | Kansas | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 50% | 63% | about the same as the Kansas share |
| At or near an intersection | 35% | 25% | about the same as the Kansas share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 26% | 26% | about the same as the Kansas share |
| A drinking driver | 26% | 23% | about the same as the Kansas share |
| Speeding | 15% | 24% | about the same as the Kansas share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 21% | 23% | about the same as the Kansas share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 33% | 51% | below the Kansas share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.1% | 3.7% | about the same as the Kansas share |
| A motorcycle involved | 15% | 14% | about the same as the Kansas share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 18% | 8.3% | above the Kansas 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 Riley County, Kansas
- How many people died in car accidents in Riley County in 2024?
- 4 people died in 4 fatal crashes in Riley County, Kansas, in 2024, down from 7 in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Riley County?
- US 24 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Riley County from 2015 to 2024: 15, with 16 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Riley County involved a drinking driver?
- 12 of 47 fatal crashes in Riley County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 26%, against 23% across Kansas.
Other counties in Kansas with a page
- Sedgwick County
- Johnson County
- Wyandotte County
- Shawnee County
- Leavenworth County
- Butler County
- Reno County
- Douglas County
- Montgomery County
- Saline County
- Franklin County
- Crawford County
All fatal crashes in Kansas, with every county ranked.
Where the Riley County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Riley County (county code 161). 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/kansas/riley-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”