Fatal crashes in Somerset County, New Jersey
In 2024, 19 people died in 18 fatal crashes in Somerset County, New Jersey, 13.6% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 186 fatal crashes and 196 deaths, the 16th most of 21 counties in New Jersey.
5.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 7.1 across New Jersey in 2024; 5.8 against 6.7 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 357,467, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in New Jersey.
Deaths in Somerset County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 18 | 19 |
| 2023 | 20 | 22 |
| 2022 | 17 | 18 |
| 2021 | 25 | 25 |
| 2020 | 14 | 14 |
| 2019 | 11 | 11 |
| 2018 | 23 | 23 |
| 2017 | 22 | 23 |
| 2016 | 18 | 19 |
| 2015 | 18 | 22 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Somerset County
I-78 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Somerset County from 2015 to 2024: 24, with 27 deaths. The 7 roads listed held 49% of all fatal crashes in Somerset County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 3 US routes, 2 state highways. 50% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 50% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-78 | 24 | 27 | 5 | |
| 2 | US 22 | 19 | 21 | 5 | no page |
| 3 | I-287 | 18 | 21 | 7 | no page |
| 4 | US 202 | 9 | 9 | 4 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 28 | 8 | 8 | 2 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 27 | 7 | 8 | 4 | |
| 7 | US 206 | 6 | 6 | 2 |
Bridgewater had 16% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 29 of 186.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Bridgewater 29, Franklin Park 29, Bedminster 11, Watchung 10, Warren 9, Branchburg 7, Somerville 6, Hillsborough 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 Somerset County
186 fatal crashes in Somerset County, New Jersey 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 6 pm to 7 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 | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.5%
- Feb7.0%
- Mar10.8%
- Apr5.4%
- May6.5%
- Jun9.7%
- Jul10.8%
- Aug9.7%
- Sep8.1%
- Oct8.6%
- Nov10.8%
- Dec6.5%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Somerset County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 33%; a pedestrian in 29%, a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 25%, a parked vehicle in 4.3%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 62 | 33% |
| Pedestrian | 54 | 29% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 46 | 25% |
| Other | 9 | 4.8% |
| Parked vehicle | 8 | 4.3% |
| Cyclist | 5 | 2.7% |
| Rollover | 2 | 1.1% |
| 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 Somerset County compare with New Jersey
The largest difference from New Jersey: from 2015 to 2024, 34% of occupants killed in Somerset County were unbelted, against 45% across New Jersey. Below the New Jersey share: rural roads. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of New Jersey. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 186 crashes.
| Somerset | New Jersey | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 1.7% | 11% | below the New Jersey share |
| At or near an intersection | 33% | 34% | about the same as the New Jersey share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 23% | 18% | about the same as the New Jersey share |
| A drinking driver | 20% | 22% | about the same as the New Jersey share |
| Speeding | 18% | 23% | about the same as the New Jersey share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 22% | 26% | about the same as the New Jersey share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 34% | 45% | below the New Jersey share |
| Hit-and-run | 5.4% | 8.7% | about the same as the New Jersey share |
| A motorcycle involved | 14% | 14% | about the same as the New Jersey share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 31% | 29% | about the same as the New Jersey 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 Somerset County, New Jersey
- How many people died in car accidents in Somerset County in 2024?
- 19 people died in 18 fatal crashes in Somerset County, New Jersey, in 2024, 13.6% fewer than in 2023. That is 5.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 7.1 across New Jersey. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Somerset County?
- I-78 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Somerset County from 2015 to 2024: 24, with 27 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Somerset County involved a drinking driver?
- 37 of 186 fatal crashes in Somerset County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 20%, against 22% across New Jersey.
Other counties in New Jersey with a page
- Middlesex County
- Essex County
- Camden County
- Burlington County
- Ocean County
- Monmouth County
- Atlantic County
- Bergen County
- Gloucester County
- Union County
- Mercer County
- Passaic County
All fatal crashes in New Jersey, with every county ranked.
Where the Somerset County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Somerset County (county code 35). 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/new-jersey/somerset-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”