Fatal crashes in Josephine County, Oregon
In 2024, 14 people died in 12 fatal crashes in Josephine County, Oregon, the same as in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 176 fatal crashes and 194 deaths, the 10th most of 36 counties in Oregon.
15.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 12.6 across Oregon in 2024; 22.2 against 12.4 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 88,276, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Oregon.
Deaths in Josephine County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 12 | 14 |
| 2023 | 14 | 14 |
| 2022 | 20 | 22 |
| 2021 | 21 | 24 |
| 2020 | 12 | 13 |
| 2019 | 20 | 20 |
| 2018 | 18 | 20 |
| 2017 | 18 | 19 |
| 2016 | 20 | 24 |
| 2015 | 21 | 24 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Josephine County
US 199 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Josephine County from 2015 to 2024: 45, with 51 deaths. The 6 roads listed held 48% of all fatal crashes in Josephine County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 1 US route, 4 state highways. 51% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 49% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 199 | 45 | 51 | 10 | no page |
| 2 | I-5 | 11 | 11 | 1 | |
| 3 | State Highway 260 | 8 | 9 | 3 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 99 | 8 | 9 | 2 | |
| 5 | State Highway 238 | 8 | 8 | 4 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 46 | 5 | 5 | 1 | no page |
Grants Pass had 10% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 18 of 176.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Grants Pass 18. 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 Josephine County
The heaviest slot is Sunday, 4 to 8 pm, with 10 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 6 pm to 7 pm; the worst month is June.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.7 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.7 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.8%
- Feb3.4%
- Mar6.8%
- Apr5.7%
- May8.5%
- Jun14.2%
- Jul8.0%
- Aug9.7%
- Sep10.2%
- Oct6.2%
- Nov11.4%
- Dec9.1%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Josephine County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 45%; a collision with another vehicle in 32%, a pedestrian in 10%, a rollover in 8.5%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 79 | 45% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 57 | 32% |
| Pedestrian | 18 | 10% |
| Rollover | 15 | 8.5% |
| Other | 5 | 2.8% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 0.6% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.6% |
| 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 Josephine County compare with Oregon
The largest difference from Oregon: from 2015 to 2024, 48% of fatal crashes in Josephine County were with a drinking driver, against 31% across Oregon. Also above the Oregon share: rural roads, unlit roads at night and unbelted occupants. Below it: pedestrians. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Oregon. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 176 crashes.
| Josephine | Oregon | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 69% | 55% | above the Oregon share |
| At or near an intersection | 16% | 20% | about the same as the Oregon share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 38% | 28% | above the Oregon share |
| A drinking driver | 48% | 31% | above the Oregon share |
| Speeding | 36% | 30% | about the same as the Oregon share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 4.0% | 5.7% | about the same as the Oregon share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 42% | 34% | above the Oregon share |
| Hit-and-run | 4.5% | 4.6% | about the same as the Oregon share |
| A motorcycle involved | 14% | 15% | about the same as the Oregon share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 10% | 16% | below the Oregon 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 Josephine County, Oregon
- How many people died in car accidents in Josephine County in 2024?
- 14 people died in 12 fatal crashes in Josephine County, Oregon, in 2024, the same as in 2023. That is 15.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 12.6 across Oregon. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Josephine County?
- US 199 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Josephine County from 2015 to 2024: 45, with 51 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Josephine County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Sunday, 4 to 8 pm, with 10 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Josephine County involved a drinking driver?
- 84 of 176 fatal crashes in Josephine County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 48%, against 31% across Oregon.
Other counties in Oregon with a page
- Multnomah County
- Lane County
- Marion County
- Clackamas County
- Washington County
- Douglas County
- Jackson County
- Linn County
- Deschutes County
- Klamath County
- Umatilla County
- Coos County
All fatal crashes in Oregon, with every county ranked.
Where the Josephine County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Josephine County (county code 33). 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/oregon/josephine-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”