Fatal crashes in Missoula County, Montana
In 2024, 15 people died in 14 fatal crashes in Missoula County, Montana, 34.8% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 147 fatal crashes and 165 deaths, the 3rd most of 55 counties in Montana.
12.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 18.1 across Montana in 2024; 13.9 against 18.9 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 122,546, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Montana.
Deaths in Missoula County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 14 | 15 |
| 2023 | 21 | 23 |
| 2022 | 18 | 24 |
| 2021 | 17 | 18 |
| 2020 | 14 | 16 |
| 2019 | 9 | 9 |
| 2018 | 8 | 8 |
| 2017 | 16 | 17 |
| 2016 | 15 | 20 |
| 2015 | 15 | 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 Missoula County
US 93 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Missoula County from 2015 to 2024: 31, with 36 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 51% of all fatal crashes in Missoula County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 2 US routes, 2 state highways. 56% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 44% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 93 | 31 | 36 | 16 | |
| 2 | I-90 | 26 | 28 | 6 | |
| 3 | State Highway 200 | 8 | 8 | 2 | |
| 4 | State Highway 83 | 5 | 6 | 1 | no page |
| 5 | US 12 | 5 | 5 | 3 | no page |
Missoula had 25% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 37 of 147.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Missoula 37. 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 Missoula County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 10 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 10 pm to 11 pm; the worst month is September.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 3.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 6.1 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 5.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 6.8 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan4.8%
- Feb4.1%
- Mar6.8%
- Apr6.1%
- May8.2%
- Jun6.8%
- Jul12.2%
- Aug10.2%
- Sep15.6%
- Oct9.5%
- Nov8.8%
- Dec6.8%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Missoula 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 29%, a pedestrian in 16%, a rollover in 14%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 48 | 33% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 42 | 29% |
| Pedestrian | 24 | 16% |
| Rollover | 20 | 14% |
| Other | 8 | 5.4% |
| Parked vehicle | 3 | 2.0% |
| Cyclist | 2 | 1.4% |
| 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 Missoula County compare with Montana
The largest difference from Montana: from 2015 to 2024, 60% of fatal crashes in Missoula County were on rural roads, against 84% across Montana. Also above the Montana share: hit-and-runs and pedestrians. Below it: unbelted occupants. 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 147 crashes.
| Missoula | Montana | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 60% | 84% | below the Montana share |
| At or near an intersection | 19% | 15% | about the same as the Montana share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 37% | 35% | about the same as the Montana share |
| A drinking driver | 36% | 44% | about the same as the Montana share |
| Speeding | 34% | 36% | about the same as the Montana share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 11% | 8.7% | about the same as the Montana share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 52% | 64% | below the Montana share |
| Hit-and-run | 6.1% | 2.7% | above the Montana share |
| A motorcycle involved | 13% | 14% | about the same as the Montana share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 15% | 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 Missoula County, Montana
- How many people died in car accidents in Missoula County in 2024?
- 15 people died in 14 fatal crashes in Missoula County, Montana, in 2024, 34.8% fewer than in 2023. That is 12.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 18.1 across Montana. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Missoula County?
- US 93 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Missoula County from 2015 to 2024: 31, with 36 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Missoula County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 10 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Missoula County involved a drinking driver?
- 53 of 147 fatal crashes in Missoula County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 36%, against 44% across Montana.
Other counties in Montana with a page
- Yellowstone County
- Flathead County
- Big Horn County
- Gallatin County
- Cascade County
- Lake County
- Lewis and Clark County
- Jefferson County
- Glacier County
- Lincoln County
- Ravalli County
- Park County
All fatal crashes in Montana, with every county ranked.
Where the Missoula County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Missoula County (county code 63). 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/missoula-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”