Fatal crashes in Polk County, Missouri
In 2024, 5 people died in 5 fatal crashes in Polk County, Missouri, the same as in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 53 fatal crashes and 56 deaths, the 45th most of 115 counties in Missouri.
Deaths in Polk County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 5 |
| 2023 | 5 | 5 |
| 2022 | 6 | 6 |
| 2021 | 8 | 8 |
| 2020 | 1 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 | 2 |
| 2018 | 8 | 10 |
| 2017 | 4 | 4 |
| 2016 | 6 | 6 |
| 2015 | 8 | 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 Polk County
State Highway 13 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Polk County from 2015 to 2024: 17, with 19 deaths. The 2 roads listed held 42% of all fatal crashes in Polk County from 2015 to 2024; 2 state highways. 79% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 21% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Highway 13 | 17 | 19 | 5 | |
| 2 | State Highway 32 | 5 | 6 | 2 |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Bolivar 7. 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 Polk County
51 fatal crashes in Polk County, Missouri 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 3 pm to 4 pm; the worst month is March.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 7.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 5.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Thu | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 5.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 5.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.7%
- Feb3.8%
- Mar11.3%
- Apr7.5%
- May9.4%
- Jun11.3%
- Jul7.5%
- Aug11.3%
- Sep3.8%
- Oct11.3%
- Nov9.4%
- Dec7.5%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Polk County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 40%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 26%, a rollover in 17%, a pedestrian in 1.9%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 21 | 40% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 14 | 26% |
| Rollover | 9 | 17% |
| Other | 8 | 15% |
| Pedestrian | 1 | 1.9% |
| Cyclist | 0 | 0.0% |
| 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 Polk County compare with Missouri
The largest difference from Missouri: from 2015 to 2024, 93% of fatal crashes in Polk County were on rural roads, against 52% across Missouri. Also above the Missouri share: distracted drivers. Below it: drinking drivers and pedestrians. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Missouri. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 53 crashes.
| Polk | Missouri | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 93% | 52% | above the Missouri share |
| At or near an intersection | 19% | 21% | about the same as the Missouri share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 25% | 28% | about the same as the Missouri share |
| A drinking driver | 13% | 28% | below the Missouri share |
| Speeding | 32% | 37% | about the same as the Missouri share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 17% | 8.9% | above the Missouri share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 56% | 63% | about the same as the Missouri share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.0% | 5.2% | about the same as the Missouri share |
| A motorcycle involved | 17% | 15% | about the same as the Missouri share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 1.8% | 12% | below the Missouri 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 Polk County, Missouri
- How many people died in car accidents in Polk County in 2024?
- 5 people died in 5 fatal crashes in Polk County, Missouri, in 2024, the same as in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Polk County?
- State Highway 13 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Polk County from 2015 to 2024: 17, with 19 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Polk County involved a drinking driver?
- 7 of 53 fatal crashes in Polk County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 13%, against 28% across Missouri.
Other counties in Missouri with a page
- Jackson County
- St. Louis County
- St. Louis city
- Greene County
- Jefferson County
- St. Charles County
- Clay County
- Franklin County
- Boone County
- Jasper County
- Newton County
- Cass County
All fatal crashes in Missouri, with every county ranked.
Where the Polk County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Polk County (county code 167). 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/missouri/polk-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”