Fatal crashes in Forrest County, Mississippi
In 2024, 27 people died in 25 fatal crashes in Forrest County, Mississippi, 28.6% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 161 fatal crashes and 173 deaths, the 8th most of 82 counties in Mississippi.
34.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 25.6 across Mississippi in 2024; 22.5 against 23.8 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 78,435, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Mississippi.
Deaths in Forrest County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 25 | 27 |
| 2023 | 19 | 21 |
| 2022 | 20 | 21 |
| 2021 | 16 | 17 |
| 2020 | 11 | 12 |
| 2019 | 13 | 15 |
| 2018 | 17 | 17 |
| 2017 | 17 | 18 |
| 2016 | 10 | 10 |
| 2015 | 13 | 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 Forrest County
US 49 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Forrest County from 2015 to 2024: 55, with 58 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 62% of all fatal crashes in Forrest County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 3 US routes, 1 state highway. 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 49 | 55 | 58 | 24 | |
| 2 | I-59 | 19 | 19 | 7 | |
| 3 | US 98 | 9 | 12 | 2 | |
| 4 | State Highway 42 | 9 | 10 | 5 | no page |
| 5 | US 11 | 8 | 9 | 3 |
Hattiesburg had 47% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 76 of 161.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Hattiesburg 76. 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 Forrest County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 4 to 8 pm, with 11 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 6 pm to 7 pm; the worst month is May.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 3.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 6.8 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan11.8%
- Feb5.0%
- Mar8.1%
- Apr5.6%
- May13.0%
- Jun6.2%
- Jul7.5%
- Aug6.2%
- Sep6.8%
- Oct8.1%
- Nov11.8%
- Dec9.9%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Forrest 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 30%, a pedestrian in 19%, a rollover in 8.1%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 63 | 39% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 49 | 30% |
| Pedestrian | 30 | 19% |
| Rollover | 13 | 8.1% |
| Other | 4 | 2.5% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 0.6% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.6% |
| 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 Forrest County compare with Mississippi
The largest difference from Mississippi: from 2015 to 2024, 40% of fatal crashes in Forrest County were on rural roads, against 70% across Mississippi. Also above the Mississippi share: hit-and-runs and pedestrians. Below it: drinking drivers and speeding. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Mississippi. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 161 crashes.
| Forrest | Mississippi | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 40% | 70% | below the Mississippi share |
| At or near an intersection | 18% | 15% | about the same as the Mississippi share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 33% | 35% | about the same as the Mississippi share |
| A drinking driver | 11% | 19% | below the Mississippi share |
| Speeding | 9.3% | 15% | below the Mississippi share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 1.2% | 1.7% | about the same as the Mississippi share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 46% | 53% | about the same as the Mississippi share |
| Hit-and-run | 6.8% | 3.6% | above the Mississippi share |
| A motorcycle involved | 8.1% | 7.3% | about the same as the Mississippi share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 17% | 12% | above the Mississippi 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 Forrest County, Mississippi
- How many people died in car accidents in Forrest County in 2024?
- 27 people died in 25 fatal crashes in Forrest County, Mississippi, in 2024, 28.6% more than in 2023. That is 34.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 25.6 across Mississippi. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Forrest County?
- US 49 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Forrest County from 2015 to 2024: 55, with 58 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Forrest County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 4 to 8 pm, with 11 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Forrest County involved a drinking driver?
- 18 of 161 fatal crashes in Forrest County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 11%, against 19% across Mississippi.
Other counties in Mississippi with a page
- Hinds County
- Harrison County
- Jackson County
- DeSoto County
- Rankin County
- Lee County
- Lauderdale County
- Marshall County
- Pearl River County
- Washington County
- Madison County
- Jones County
All fatal crashes in Mississippi, with every county ranked.
Where the Forrest County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Forrest County (county code 35). 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/mississippi/forrest-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”