Fatal crashes in Charles County, Maryland
In 2024, 37 people died in 32 fatal crashes in Charles County, Maryland, 76.2% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 221 fatal crashes and 246 deaths, the 8th most of 24 counties in Maryland.
21.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.2 across Maryland in 2024; 14.9 against 9.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 174,478, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Maryland.
Deaths in Charles County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 32 | 37 |
| 2023 | 20 | 21 |
| 2022 | 23 | 25 |
| 2021 | 17 | 18 |
| 2020 | 25 | 26 |
| 2019 | 18 | 19 |
| 2018 | 18 | 21 |
| 2017 | 28 | 35 |
| 2016 | 26 | 29 |
| 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 Charles County
US 301 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Charles County from 2015 to 2024: 50, with 57 deaths. The 8 roads listed held 59% of all fatal crashes in Charles County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 7 state highways. 66% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 34% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 301 | 50 | 57 | 17 | |
| 2 | State Highway 5 | 23 | 24 | 9 | |
| 3 | State Highway 6 | 22 | 25 | 8 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 224 | 10 | 10 | 4 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 225 | 8 | 10 | 2 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 228 | 6 | 7 | 2 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 229 | 6 | 6 | 2 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 231 | 5 | 5 | 3 | no page |
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 Charles County
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 15 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 3 pm to 4 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 | 4.5 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 2.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.9 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.5 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 6.8 percent, 15 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan3.6%
- Feb5.0%
- Mar10.0%
- Apr9.5%
- May7.7%
- Jun8.1%
- Jul8.1%
- Aug9.5%
- Sep10.9%
- Oct10.9%
- Nov6.3%
- Dec10.4%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Charles County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 39%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 37%, a pedestrian in 17%, a cyclist in 2.7%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 85 | 39% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 82 | 37% |
| Pedestrian | 38 | 17% |
| Cyclist | 6 | 2.7% |
| Other | 5 | 2.3% |
| Rollover | 3 | 1.4% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 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 Charles County compare with Maryland
The largest difference from Maryland: from 2015 to 2024, 38% of fatal crashes in Charles County were in the dark on unlit roads, against 24% across Maryland. Also above the Maryland share: rural roads, distracted drivers and motorcycles. Below it: pedestrians. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Maryland. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 221 crashes.
| Charles | Maryland | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 30% | 19% | above the Maryland share |
| At or near an intersection | 24% | 29% | about the same as the Maryland share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 38% | 24% | above the Maryland share |
| A drinking driver | 32% | 28% | about the same as the Maryland share |
| Speeding | 29% | 26% | about the same as the Maryland share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 15% | 9.6% | above the Maryland share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 37% | 43% | about the same as the Maryland share |
| Hit-and-run | 5.4% | 7.8% | about the same as the Maryland share |
| A motorcycle involved | 20% | 16% | above the Maryland share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 16% | 23% | below the Maryland 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 Charles County, Maryland
- How many people died in car accidents in Charles County in 2024?
- 37 people died in 32 fatal crashes in Charles County, Maryland, in 2024, 76.2% more than in 2023. That is 21.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.2 across Maryland. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Charles County?
- US 301 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Charles County from 2015 to 2024: 50, with 57 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Charles County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 15 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Charles County involved a drinking driver?
- 70 of 221 fatal crashes in Charles County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 32%, against 28% across Maryland.
Other counties in Maryland with a page
- Prince George's County
- Baltimore County
- Baltimore city
- Anne Arundel County
- Montgomery County
- Frederick County
- Howard County
- Cecil County
- Harford County
- Washington County
- Carroll County
- St. Mary's County
All fatal crashes in Maryland, with every county ranked.
Where the Charles County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Charles County (county code 17). 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/maryland/charles-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”