Fatal crashes in Pontotoc County, Mississippi
In 2024, 7 people died in 7 fatal crashes in Pontotoc County, Mississippi, up from 6 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 80 fatal crashes and 88 deaths, the 28th most of 82 counties in Mississippi.
Deaths in Pontotoc County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | 7 |
| 2023 | 6 | 6 |
| 2022 | 5 | 7 |
| 2021 | 8 | 9 |
| 2020 | 9 | 9 |
| 2019 | 8 | 8 |
| 2018 | 8 | 9 |
| 2017 | 11 | 13 |
| 2016 | 11 | 11 |
| 2015 | 7 | 9 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Pontotoc County
US 278 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Pontotoc County from 2015 to 2024: 18, with 18 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 49% of all fatal crashes in Pontotoc County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 2 state highways. 74% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 26% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 278 | 18 | 18 | 2 | |
| 2 | State Highway 9 | 11 | 13 | 3 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 15 | 10 | 10 | 2 |
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 Pontotoc County
80 fatal crashes in Pontotoc County, Mississippi 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 October.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 3.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Mon | 5.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Tue | 2.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 6.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 7.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 5.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Sat | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 5.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 6.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash |
By hour
By month
- Jan10.0%
- Feb5.0%
- Mar12.5%
- Apr8.8%
- May7.5%
- Jun5.0%
- Jul2.5%
- Aug5.0%
- Sep10.0%
- Oct17.5%
- Nov7.5%
- Dec8.8%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Pontotoc County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 44%; a collision with another vehicle in 30%, a rollover in 10%, a pedestrian in 8.8%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 35 | 44% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 24 | 30% |
| Rollover | 8 | 10% |
| Pedestrian | 7 | 8.8% |
| Other | 4 | 5.0% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 1.2% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 1.2% |
| 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 Pontotoc County compare with Mississippi
The largest difference from Mississippi: from 2015 to 2024, 94% of fatal crashes in Pontotoc 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 80 crashes.
| Pontotoc | Mississippi | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 94% | 70% | above the Mississippi share |
| At or near an intersection | 10% | 15% | about the same as the Mississippi share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 46% | 35% | about the same as the Mississippi share |
| A drinking driver | 24% | 19% | about the same as the Mississippi share |
| Speeding | 14% | 15% | about the same as the Mississippi share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 3.8% | 1.7% | about the same as the Mississippi share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 55% | 53% | about the same as the Mississippi share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.0% | 3.6% | about the same as the Mississippi share |
| A motorcycle involved | 7.5% | 7.3% | about the same as the Mississippi share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 8.0% | 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 Pontotoc County, Mississippi
- How many people died in car accidents in Pontotoc County in 2024?
- 7 people died in 7 fatal crashes in Pontotoc County, Mississippi, in 2024, up from 6 in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Pontotoc County?
- US 278 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Pontotoc County from 2015 to 2024: 18, with 18 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Pontotoc County involved a drinking driver?
- 19 of 80 fatal crashes in Pontotoc County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 24%, 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
- Forrest County
- Marshall County
- Pearl River County
- Washington County
- Madison County
All fatal crashes in Mississippi, with every county ranked.
Where the Pontotoc County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Pontotoc County (county code 115). 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/pontotoc-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”