Fatal crashes in Buffalo County, Nebraska
In 2024, 9 people died in 9 fatal crashes in Buffalo County, Nebraska, up from 8 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 54 fatal crashes and 60 deaths, the 6th most of 92 counties in Nebraska.
Deaths in Buffalo County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 | 9 |
| 2023 | 8 | 8 |
| 2022 | 4 | 4 |
| 2021 | 4 | 4 |
| 2020 | 3 | 3 |
| 2019 | 3 | 5 |
| 2018 | 6 | 7 |
| 2017 | 5 | 6 |
| 2016 | 7 | 9 |
| 2015 | 5 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Buffalo County
I-80 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Buffalo County from 2015 to 2024: 15, with 19 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 57% of all fatal crashes in Buffalo County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 1 US route, 1 state highway. 67% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 33% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Kearney 6. 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 Buffalo County
47 fatal crashes in Buffalo County, Nebraska 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 2 pm to 3 pm; the worst month is February.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 4.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 6.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 6.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Sat | 6.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan3.7%
- Feb13.0%
- Mar11.1%
- Apr3.7%
- May3.7%
- Jun7.4%
- Jul7.4%
- Aug7.4%
- Sep5.6%
- Oct11.1%
- Nov13.0%
- Dec13.0%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Buffalo County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 43%; a rollover in 19%, a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 19%, a pedestrian in 9.3%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 23 | 43% |
| Rollover | 10 | 19% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 10 | 19% |
| Pedestrian | 5 | 9.3% |
| Parked vehicle | 3 | 5.6% |
| Other | 2 | 3.7% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 1.9% |
| 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 Buffalo County compare with Nebraska
The largest difference from Nebraska: from 2015 to 2024, 42% of fatal crashes in Buffalo County were in the dark on unlit roads, against 25% across Nebraska. Also above the Nebraska share: rural roads. Below it: intersections and motorcycles. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Nebraska. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 54 crashes.
| Buffalo | Nebraska | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 83% | 69% | above the Nebraska share |
| At or near an intersection | 15% | 29% | below the Nebraska share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 42% | 25% | above the Nebraska share |
| A drinking driver | 24% | 33% | about the same as the Nebraska share |
| Speeding | 9.3% | 18% | about the same as the Nebraska share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 1.9% | 5.8% | about the same as the Nebraska share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 60% | 64% | about the same as the Nebraska share |
| Hit-and-run | 1.9% | 2.8% | about the same as the Nebraska share |
| A motorcycle involved | 1.9% | 12% | below the Nebraska share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 10% | 7.8% | about the same as the Nebraska 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 Buffalo County, Nebraska
- How many people died in car accidents in Buffalo County in 2024?
- 9 people died in 9 fatal crashes in Buffalo County, Nebraska, in 2024, up from 8 in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Buffalo County?
- I-80 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Buffalo County from 2015 to 2024: 15, with 19 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Buffalo County involved a drinking driver?
- 13 of 54 fatal crashes in Buffalo County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 24%, against 33% across Nebraska.
Other counties in Nebraska with a page
- Douglas County
- Lancaster County
- Sarpy County
- Hall County
- Dodge County
- Lincoln County
- Cass County
- Scotts Bluff County
- Dawson County
- Madison County
- Saunders County
- Seward County
All fatal crashes in Nebraska, with every county ranked.
Where the Buffalo County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Buffalo County (county code 19). 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/nebraska/buffalo-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”