Fatal crashes in Lee County, Mississippi
In 2024, 16 people died in 14 fatal crashes in Lee County, Mississippi, up from 15 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 165 fatal crashes and 180 deaths, the 6th most of 82 counties in Mississippi.
19.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 25.6 across Mississippi in 2024; 21.4 against 23.8 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 83,012, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Mississippi.
Deaths in Lee County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 14 | 16 |
| 2023 | 15 | 15 |
| 2022 | 13 | 13 |
| 2021 | 23 | 25 |
| 2020 | 22 | 23 |
| 2019 | 13 | 14 |
| 2018 | 17 | 18 |
| 2017 | 18 | 23 |
| 2016 | 17 | 19 |
| 2015 | 13 | 14 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Lee County
US 45 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Lee County from 2015 to 2024: 24, with 27 deaths. The 6 roads listed held 42% of all fatal crashes in Lee County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 1 US route, 4 state highways. 49% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 51% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 45 | 24 | 27 | 8 | |
| 2 | State Highway 145 | 17 | 21 | 5 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 6 | 9 | 10 | 4 | no page |
| 4 | I-22 | 8 | 12 | 0 | |
| 5 | State Highway 178 | 7 | 7 | 2 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 371 | 5 | 6 | 2 | no page |
Tupelo had 34% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 56 of 165.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Tupelo 56, Saltillo 5, Shannon 5. 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 Lee County
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 13 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 10 pm to 11 pm; the worst month is July.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 6.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 7.3 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 7.9 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.9%
- Feb6.7%
- Mar8.5%
- Apr3.6%
- May8.5%
- Jun8.5%
- Jul13.9%
- Aug9.1%
- Sep4.2%
- Oct9.7%
- Nov9.1%
- Dec10.3%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Lee County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 37%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 36%, a pedestrian in 14%, a rollover in 6.7%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 61 | 37% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 60 | 36% |
| Pedestrian | 23 | 14% |
| Rollover | 11 | 6.7% |
| Other | 8 | 4.8% |
| Cyclist | 2 | 1.2% |
| Parked vehicle | 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 Lee County compare with Mississippi
The largest difference from Mississippi: from 2015 to 2024, 60% of fatal crashes in Lee County were on rural roads, against 70% across Mississippi. 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 165 crashes.
| Lee | Mississippi | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 60% | 70% | below the Mississippi share |
| At or near an intersection | 10% | 15% | about the same as the Mississippi share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 35% | 35% | about the same as the Mississippi share |
| A drinking driver | 18% | 19% | about the same as the Mississippi share |
| Speeding | 13% | 15% | about the same as the Mississippi share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 1.2% | 1.7% | about the same as the Mississippi share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 53% | 53% | about the same as the Mississippi share |
| Hit-and-run | 5.5% | 3.6% | about the same as the Mississippi share |
| A motorcycle involved | 7.9% | 7.3% | about the same as the Mississippi share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 13% | 12% | about the same as 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 Lee County, Mississippi
- How many people died in car accidents in Lee County in 2024?
- 16 people died in 14 fatal crashes in Lee County, Mississippi, in 2024, up from 15 in 2023. That is 19.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 25.6 across Mississippi. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Lee County?
- US 45 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Lee County from 2015 to 2024: 24, with 27 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Lee County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 13 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Lee County involved a drinking driver?
- 29 of 165 fatal crashes in Lee County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 18%, against 19% across Mississippi.
Other counties in Mississippi with a page
- Hinds County
- Harrison County
- Jackson County
- DeSoto County
- Rankin County
- Lauderdale County
- Forrest County
- Marshall County
- Pearl River County
- Washington County
- Madison County
- Jones County
All fatal crashes in Mississippi, with every county ranked.
Where the Lee County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Lee County (county code 81). 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/lee-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”