Fatal crashes in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
In 2024, 18 people died in 18 fatal crashes in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, 50.0% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 295 fatal crashes and 313 deaths, the 10th most of 67 counties in Pennsylvania.
5.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 8.6 across Pennsylvania in 2024; 9.7 against 9 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 331,379, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Pennsylvania.
Deaths in Luzerne County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 18 | 18 |
| 2023 | 36 | 36 |
| 2022 | 30 | 33 |
| 2021 | 40 | 41 |
| 2020 | 34 | 35 |
| 2019 | 30 | 32 |
| 2018 | 18 | 20 |
| 2017 | 25 | 27 |
| 2016 | 31 | 32 |
| 2015 | 33 | 39 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Luzerne County
US 11 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Luzerne County from 2015 to 2024: 29, with 31 deaths. The 8 roads listed held 38% of all fatal crashes in Luzerne County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 1 US route, 5 state highways. 73% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 27% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 11 | 29 | 31 | 9 | |
| 2 | I-81 | 20 | 23 | 5 | |
| 3 | State Highway 309 | 19 | 21 | 4 | |
| 4 | I-80 | 19 | 19 | 9 | |
| 5 | State Highway 93 | 8 | 8 | 2 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 924 | 6 | 7 | 1 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 115 | 5 | 5 | 2 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 940 | 5 | 5 | 1 | no page |
Wilkes Barre had 6.4% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 19 of 295.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Wilkes Barre 19, Hazleton 8, Kingston 8, Sugarloaf 5, Wilkes-Barre 5. 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 Luzerne County
The heaviest slot is Friday, noon to 4 pm, with 17 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 3 pm to 4 pm; the worst month is July.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 5.8 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 15 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.1%
- Feb6.1%
- Mar4.1%
- Apr8.5%
- May9.8%
- Jun8.8%
- Jul12.2%
- Aug8.5%
- Sep6.8%
- Oct11.5%
- Nov8.8%
- Dec7.8%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Luzerne County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 35%; a collision with another vehicle in 34%, a pedestrian in 15%, a rollover in 4.4%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 104 | 35% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 101 | 34% |
| Pedestrian | 43 | 15% |
| Other | 20 | 6.8% |
| Rollover | 13 | 4.4% |
| Cyclist | 9 | 3.1% |
| Parked vehicle | 5 | 1.7% |
| 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 Luzerne County compare with Pennsylvania
The largest difference from Pennsylvania: from 2015 to 2024, 18% of fatal crashes in Luzerne County were at or near an intersection, against 24% across Pennsylvania. Also above the Pennsylvania share: unbelted occupants. Below it: speeding. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Pennsylvania. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 295 crashes.
| Luzerne | Pennsylvania | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 42% | 45% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| At or near an intersection | 18% | 24% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 26% | 25% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| A drinking driver | 27% | 25% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| Speeding | 34% | 40% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 4.1% | 5.3% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 64% | 58% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| Hit-and-run | 4.4% | 5.1% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| A motorcycle involved | 17% | 18% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 15% | 14% | about the same as the Pennsylvania 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 Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
- How many people died in car accidents in Luzerne County in 2024?
- 18 people died in 18 fatal crashes in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in 2024, 50.0% fewer than in 2023. That is 5.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 8.6 across Pennsylvania. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Luzerne County?
- US 11 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Luzerne County from 2015 to 2024: 29, with 31 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Luzerne County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, noon to 4 pm, with 17 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Luzerne County involved a drinking driver?
- 79 of 295 fatal crashes in Luzerne County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 27%, against 25% across Pennsylvania.
Other counties in Pennsylvania with a page
- Philadelphia County
- Allegheny County
- Bucks County
- Lancaster County
- Berks County
- Montgomery County
- York County
- Westmoreland County
- Chester County
- Dauphin County
- Lehigh County
- Erie County
All fatal crashes in Pennsylvania, with every county ranked.
Where the Luzerne County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Luzerne County (county code 79). 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/pennsylvania/luzerne-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”