Fatal crashes in McCracken County, Kentucky
In 2024, 16 people died in 14 fatal crashes in McCracken County, Kentucky, up from 7 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 110 fatal crashes and 127 deaths, the 10th most of 120 counties in Kentucky.
23.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 15.4 across Kentucky in 2024; 19.1 against 17.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 67,550, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Kentucky.
Deaths in McCracken County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 14 | 16 |
| 2023 | 6 | 7 |
| 2022 | 5 | 6 |
| 2021 | 15 | 20 |
| 2020 | 12 | 14 |
| 2019 | 12 | 14 |
| 2018 | 7 | 9 |
| 2017 | 11 | 11 |
| 2016 | 14 | 15 |
| 2015 | 14 | 15 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in McCracken County
US 60 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in McCracken County from 2015 to 2024: 17, with 22 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 56% of all fatal crashes in McCracken County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 3 US routes, 1 state highway. 93% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 7.3% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 60 | 17 | 22 | 2 | |
| 2 | I-24 | 15 | 16 | 3 | no page |
| 3 | US 62 | 12 | 12 | 4 | |
| 4 | US 45 | 11 | 13 | 4 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 305 | 7 | 7 | 2 | no page |
Paducah had 29% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 32 of 110.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Paducah 32. 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 McCracken County
110 fatal crashes in McCracken County, Kentucky 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 11 am to noon; 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 | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 7.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Tue | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Sat | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.5%
- Feb10.0%
- Mar7.3%
- Apr2.7%
- May8.2%
- Jun7.3%
- Jul8.2%
- Aug13.6%
- Sep12.7%
- Oct11.8%
- Nov3.6%
- Dec9.1%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in McCracken 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 29%, a pedestrian in 8.2%, a rollover in 4.5%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 60 | 55% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 32 | 29% |
| Pedestrian | 9 | 8.2% |
| Rollover | 5 | 4.5% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 1.8% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 0.9% |
| Other | 1 | 0.9% |
| 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 McCracken County compare with Kentucky
The largest difference from Kentucky: from 2015 to 2024, 52% of fatal crashes in McCracken County were on rural roads, against 66% across Kentucky. Also above the Kentucky share: intersections. Below it: unlit roads at night and drinking drivers. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Kentucky. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 110 crashes.
| McCracken | Kentucky | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 52% | 66% | below the Kentucky share |
| At or near an intersection | 35% | 20% | above the Kentucky share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 17% | 29% | below the Kentucky share |
| A drinking driver | 16% | 25% | below the Kentucky share |
| Speeding | 23% | 16% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 23% | 19% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 49% | 52% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.9% | 4.3% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| A motorcycle involved | 13% | 14% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 8.7% | 11% | about the same as the Kentucky 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 McCracken County, Kentucky
- How many people died in car accidents in McCracken County in 2024?
- 16 people died in 14 fatal crashes in McCracken County, Kentucky, in 2024, up from 7 in 2023. That is 23.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 15.4 across Kentucky. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in McCracken County?
- US 60 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in McCracken County from 2015 to 2024: 17, with 22 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in McCracken County involved a drinking driver?
- 17 of 110 fatal crashes in McCracken County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 16%, against 25% across Kentucky.
Other counties in Kentucky with a page
- Jefferson County
- Fayette County
- Hardin County
- Warren County
- Pike County
- Pulaski County
- Laurel County
- Daviess County
- Bullitt County
- Christian County
- Boone County
- Madison County
All fatal crashes in Kentucky, with every county ranked.
Where the McCracken County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in McCracken County (county code 145). 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/kentucky/mccracken-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”