Fatal crashes in DeKalb County, Tennessee
In 2024, 5 people died in 5 fatal crashes in DeKalb County, Tennessee, up from 2 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 42 fatal crashes and 42 deaths, the 67th most of 95 counties in Tennessee.
Deaths in DeKalb County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 5 |
| 2023 | 2 | 2 |
| 2022 | 5 | 5 |
| 2021 | 3 | 3 |
| 2020 | 6 | 6 |
| 2019 | 2 | 2 |
| 2018 | 8 | 8 |
| 2017 | 5 | 5 |
| 2016 | 1 | 1 |
| 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 DeKalb County
US 70 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in DeKalb County from 2015 to 2024: 17, with 17 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 76% of all fatal crashes in DeKalb County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 2 state highways. 86% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 14% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 70 | 17 | 17 | 4 | |
| 2 | State Highway 96 | 8 | 8 | 4 | |
| 3 | State Highway 56 | 7 | 7 | 1 | no page |
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 DeKalb County
40 fatal crashes in DeKalb County, Tennessee 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 April.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 15.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 2.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Thu | 2.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.5 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.5 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Sat | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 7.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan4.8%
- Feb4.8%
- Mar9.5%
- Apr14.3%
- May2.4%
- Jun2.4%
- Jul14.3%
- Aug9.5%
- Sep9.5%
- Oct11.9%
- Nov7.1%
- Dec9.5%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in DeKalb County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 50%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 33%, a rollover in 9.5%, a pedestrian in 4.8%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 21 | 50% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 14 | 33% |
| Rollover | 4 | 9.5% |
| Pedestrian | 2 | 4.8% |
| Other | 1 | 2.4% |
| Cyclist | 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 DeKalb County compare with Tennessee
The largest difference from Tennessee: from 2015 to 2024, 100% of fatal crashes in DeKalb County were on rural roads, against 43% across Tennessee. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Tennessee. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 42 crashes.
| DeKalb | Tennessee | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 100% | 43% | above the Tennessee share |
| At or near an intersection | 14% | 19% | about the same as the Tennessee share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 24% | 26% | about the same as the Tennessee share |
| A drinking driver | 19% | 25% | about the same as the Tennessee share |
| Speeding | 12% | 17% | about the same as the Tennessee share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 9.5% | 6.7% | about the same as the Tennessee share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 52% | 49% | about the same as the Tennessee share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.4% | 6.6% | about the same as the Tennessee share |
| A motorcycle involved | 19% | 15% | about the same as the Tennessee share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 4.8% | 13% | about the same as the Tennessee 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 DeKalb County, Tennessee
- How many people died in car accidents in DeKalb County in 2024?
- 5 people died in 5 fatal crashes in DeKalb County, Tennessee, in 2024, up from 2 in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in DeKalb County?
- US 70 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in DeKalb County from 2015 to 2024: 17, with 17 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in DeKalb County involved a drinking driver?
- 8 of 42 fatal crashes in DeKalb County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 19%, against 25% across Tennessee.
Other counties in Tennessee with a page
- Shelby County
- Davidson County
- Knox County
- Hamilton County
- Rutherford County
- Montgomery County
- Wilson County
- Sullivan County
- Blount County
- Greene County
- Madison County
- Sevier County
All fatal crashes in Tennessee, with every county ranked.
Where the DeKalb County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in DeKalb County (county code 41). 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/tennessee/dekalb-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”