Fatal crashes in Denton County, Texas
In 2024, 50 people died in 47 fatal crashes in Denton County, Texas, 5.7% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 479 fatal crashes and 521 deaths, the 11th most of 254 counties in Texas.
4.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.3 across Texas in 2024; 5.7 against 13.6 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 1,045,120, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Texas.
Deaths in Denton County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 47 | 50 |
| 2023 | 52 | 53 |
| 2022 | 46 | 48 |
| 2021 | 62 | 71 |
| 2020 | 55 | 59 |
| 2019 | 47 | 52 |
| 2018 | 46 | 52 |
| 2017 | 44 | 49 |
| 2016 | 42 | 49 |
| 2015 | 38 | 38 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Denton County
I-35E had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Denton County from 2015 to 2024: 54, with 59 deaths. The 8 roads listed held 42% of all fatal crashes in Denton County from 2015 to 2024; 3 are interstates, 3 US routes, 2 state highways. 43% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 57% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-35E | 54 | 59 | 16 | |
| 2 | US 377 | 39 | 48 | 10 | |
| 3 | US 380 | 34 | 35 | 10 | |
| 4 | I-35 | 25 | 28 | 6 | |
| 5 | I-35W | 16 | 21 | 2 | |
| 6 | State Highway 114 | 14 | 14 | 5 | |
| 7 | State Highway 121 | 9 | 10 | 5 | |
| 8 | US 77 | 8 | 8 | 2 |
Denton had 26% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 123 of 479.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Denton 123, Lewisville 72, Carrollton 22, Little Elm 16, Flower Mound 16, The Colony 14, Frisco 14, Sanger 13. 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 Denton County
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 24 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 8 pm to 9 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 | 4.4 percent, 21 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 15 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.5 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 18 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 17 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.8 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 24 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan10.0%
- Feb5.6%
- Mar8.8%
- Apr10.2%
- May7.5%
- Jun7.5%
- Jul7.7%
- Aug8.1%
- Sep10.2%
- Oct8.4%
- Nov6.5%
- Dec9.4%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Denton County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 46%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 23%, a pedestrian in 15%, a rollover in 6.5%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 220 | 46% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 108 | 23% |
| Pedestrian | 73 | 15% |
| Rollover | 31 | 6.5% |
| Other | 31 | 6.5% |
| Cyclist | 10 | 2.1% |
| Parked vehicle | 6 | 1.3% |
| 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 Denton County compare with Texas
The largest difference from Texas: from 2015 to 2024, 20% of fatal crashes in Denton County were on rural roads, against 38% across Texas. Also above the Texas share: intersections, speeding and motorcycles. Below it: unlit roads at night and drinking drivers. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Texas. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 479 crashes.
| Denton | Texas | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 20% | 38% | below the Texas share |
| At or near an intersection | 25% | 22% | above the Texas share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 26% | 31% | below the Texas share |
| A drinking driver | 20% | 26% | below the Texas share |
| Speeding | 38% | 32% | above the Texas share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 11% | 10% | about the same as the Texas share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 41% | 45% | about the same as the Texas share |
| Hit-and-run | 5.6% | 7.6% | about the same as the Texas share |
| A motorcycle involved | 24% | 14% | above the Texas share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 16% | 18% | about the same as the Texas 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 Denton County, Texas
- How many people died in car accidents in Denton County in 2024?
- 50 people died in 47 fatal crashes in Denton County, Texas, in 2024, 5.7% fewer than in 2023. That is 4.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.3 across Texas. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Denton County?
- I-35E had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Denton County from 2015 to 2024: 54, with 59 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Denton County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 24 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Denton County involved a drinking driver?
- 94 of 479 fatal crashes in Denton County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 20%, against 26% across Texas.
Other counties in Texas with a page
- Harris County
- Dallas County
- Bexar County
- Tarrant County
- Travis County
- El Paso County
- Hidalgo County
- Montgomery County
- Collin County
- Smith County
- Bell County
- Lubbock County
All fatal crashes in Texas, with every county ranked.
Where the Denton County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Denton County (county code 121). 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/texas/denton-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”