Fatal crashes in Tompkins County, New York
In 2024, 4 people died in 4 fatal crashes in Tompkins County, New York, down from 9 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 71 fatal crashes and 74 deaths, the 35th most of 62 counties in New York.
Deaths in Tompkins County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 4 |
| 2023 | 8 | 9 |
| 2022 | 5 | 5 |
| 2021 | 9 | 9 |
| 2020 | 6 | 6 |
| 2019 | 7 | 7 |
| 2018 | 3 | 3 |
| 2017 | 7 | 8 |
| 2016 | 10 | 10 |
| 2015 | 12 | 13 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Tompkins County
State Highway 13 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Tompkins County from 2015 to 2024: 11, with 13 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 32% of all fatal crashes in Tompkins County from 2015 to 2024; 3 state highways. 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 | State Highway 13 | 11 | 13 | 4 | no page |
| 2 | State Highway 96 | 6 | 7 | 0 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 34 | 6 | 6 | 2 | no page |
Ithaca had 20% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 14 of 71.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Ithaca 14, Dryden 11, Lansing 9, Trumansburg 8, Groton 6, Newfield 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 Tompkins County
71 fatal crashes in Tompkins County, New York 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 7 pm to 8 pm; the worst month is January.
| 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 | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Mon | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 7.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 9.9 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 5.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 5.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan14.1%
- Feb2.8%
- Mar7.0%
- Apr8.5%
- May8.5%
- Jun2.8%
- Jul11.3%
- Aug8.5%
- Sep7.0%
- Oct14.1%
- Nov9.9%
- Dec5.6%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Tompkins County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 32%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 30%, a pedestrian in 28%, a cyclist in 4.2%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 23 | 32% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 21 | 30% |
| Pedestrian | 20 | 28% |
| Other | 4 | 5.6% |
| Cyclist | 3 | 4.2% |
| Rollover | 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 Tompkins County compare with New York
The largest difference from New York: from 2015 to 2024, 68% of fatal crashes in Tompkins County were on rural roads, against 30% across New York. Also above the New York share: unlit roads at night. Below it: intersections, unbelted occupants and motorcycles. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of New York. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 71 crashes.
| Tompkins | New York | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 68% | 30% | above the New York share |
| At or near an intersection | 17% | 34% | below the New York share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 32% | 17% | above the New York share |
| A drinking driver | 16% | 20% | about the same as the New York share |
| Speeding | 21% | 31% | about the same as the New York share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 16% | 12% | about the same as the New York share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 23% | 37% | below the New York share |
| Hit-and-run | 4.2% | 8.2% | about the same as the New York share |
| A motorcycle involved | 2.8% | 18% | below the New York share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 28% | 26% | about the same as the New York 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 Tompkins County, New York
- How many people died in car accidents in Tompkins County in 2024?
- 4 people died in 4 fatal crashes in Tompkins County, New York, in 2024, down from 9 in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Tompkins County?
- State Highway 13 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Tompkins County from 2015 to 2024: 11, with 13 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Tompkins County involved a drinking driver?
- 11 of 71 fatal crashes in Tompkins County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 16%, against 20% across New York.
Other counties in New York with a page
- Suffolk County
- Nassau County
- Queens County
- Kings County
- Erie County
- Monroe County
- Bronx County
- New York County
- Westchester County
- Orange County
- Onondaga County
- Dutchess County
All fatal crashes in New York, with every county ranked.
Where the Tompkins County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Tompkins County (county code 109). 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-york/tompkins-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”