Fatal crashes in Lewis and Clark County, Montana
In 2024, 6 people died in 6 fatal crashes in Lewis and Clark County, Montana, down from 8 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 73 fatal crashes and 77 deaths, the 8th most of 55 counties in Montana.
Deaths in Lewis and Clark County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | 6 |
| 2023 | 8 | 8 |
| 2022 | 6 | 6 |
| 2021 | 9 | 9 |
| 2020 | 5 | 5 |
| 2019 | 6 | 6 |
| 2018 | 7 | 7 |
| 2017 | 10 | 11 |
| 2016 | 4 | 4 |
| 2015 | 12 | 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 Lewis and Clark County
US 12 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Lewis and Clark County from 2015 to 2024: 15, with 16 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 38% of all fatal crashes in Lewis and Clark County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 1 US route, 1 state highway. 48% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 52% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 12 | 15 | 16 | 3 | no page |
| 2 | State Highway 200 | 8 | 8 | 3 | |
| 3 | I-15 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
Helena had 21% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 15 of 73.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Helena 15. 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 Lewis and Clark County
73 fatal crashes in Lewis and Clark County, Montana 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 8 pm to 9 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 | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 6.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 6.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 5.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.5%
- Feb8.2%
- Mar1.4%
- Apr5.5%
- May8.2%
- Jun5.5%
- Jul19.2%
- Aug9.6%
- Sep12.3%
- Oct11.0%
- Nov8.2%
- Dec5.5%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Lewis and Clark County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 33%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 32%, a pedestrian in 12%, a rollover in 11%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 24 | 33% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 23 | 32% |
| Pedestrian | 9 | 12% |
| Rollover | 8 | 11% |
| Other | 8 | 11% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 1.4% |
| 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 Lewis and Clark County compare with Montana
The largest difference from Montana: from 2015 to 2024, 66% of fatal crashes in Lewis and Clark County were on rural roads, against 84% across Montana. Also above the Montana share: intersections and pedestrians. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Montana. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 73 crashes.
| Lewis and Clark | Montana | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 66% | 84% | below the Montana share |
| At or near an intersection | 32% | 15% | above the Montana share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 33% | 35% | about the same as the Montana share |
| A drinking driver | 33% | 44% | about the same as the Montana share |
| Speeding | 34% | 36% | about the same as the Montana share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 9.6% | 8.7% | about the same as the Montana share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 68% | 64% | about the same as the Montana share |
| Hit-and-run | 1.4% | 2.7% | about the same as the Montana share |
| A motorcycle involved | 21% | 14% | about the same as the Montana share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 14% | 7.5% | above the Montana 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 Lewis and Clark County, Montana
- How many people died in car accidents in Lewis and Clark County in 2024?
- 6 people died in 6 fatal crashes in Lewis and Clark County, Montana, in 2024, down from 8 in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Lewis and Clark County?
- US 12 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Lewis and Clark County from 2015 to 2024: 15, with 16 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Lewis and Clark County involved a drinking driver?
- 24 of 73 fatal crashes in Lewis and Clark County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 33%, against 44% across Montana.
Other counties in Montana with a page
- Yellowstone County
- Flathead County
- Missoula County
- Big Horn County
- Gallatin County
- Cascade County
- Lake County
- Jefferson County
- Glacier County
- Lincoln County
- Ravalli County
- Park County
All fatal crashes in Montana, with every county ranked.
Where the Lewis and Clark County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Lewis and Clark County (county code 49). 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/montana/lewis-and-clark-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”