Fatal crashes in Shelby County, Texas
In 2024, 8 people died in 8 fatal crashes in Shelby County, Texas, the same as in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 74 fatal crashes and 80 deaths, the 101st most of 254 counties in Texas.
Deaths in Shelby County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | 8 |
| 2023 | 8 | 8 |
| 2022 | 6 | 6 |
| 2021 | 4 | 4 |
| 2020 | 5 | 10 |
| 2019 | 7 | 8 |
| 2018 | 10 | 10 |
| 2017 | 11 | 11 |
| 2016 | 7 | 7 |
| 2015 | 8 | 8 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Shelby County
State Highway 7 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Shelby County from 2015 to 2024: 15, with 15 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 65% of all fatal crashes in Shelby County from 2015 to 2024; 3 US routes, 2 state highways. 69% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 31% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Highway 7 | 15 | 15 | 4 | |
| 2 | US 96 | 11 | 12 | 3 | |
| 3 | State Highway 87 | 9 | 9 | 3 | |
| 4 | US 59 | 7 | 8 | 2 | |
| 5 | US 84 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Joaquin 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 Shelby County
74 fatal crashes in Shelby County, Texas 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 8 pm to 9 pm; the worst month is March.
| 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 | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 5.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 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 | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Tue | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 6.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 5.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Thu | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 6.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan9.5%
- Feb5.4%
- Mar13.5%
- Apr4.1%
- May6.8%
- Jun2.7%
- Jul9.5%
- Aug13.5%
- Sep8.1%
- Oct5.4%
- Nov12.2%
- 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 Shelby County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 39%; a collision with another vehicle in 38%, a pedestrian in 11%, a rollover in 8.1%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 29 | 39% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 28 | 38% |
| Pedestrian | 8 | 11% |
| Rollover | 6 | 8.1% |
| Other | 2 | 2.7% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 1.4% |
| Cyclist | 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 Shelby County compare with Texas
The largest difference from Texas: from 2015 to 2024, 85% of fatal crashes in Shelby County were on rural roads, against 38% across Texas. Also above the Texas share: unlit roads at night. Below it: hit-and-runs and motorcycles. 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 74 crashes.
| Shelby | Texas | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 85% | 38% | above the Texas share |
| At or near an intersection | 19% | 22% | about the same as the Texas share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 43% | 31% | above the Texas share |
| A drinking driver | 28% | 26% | about the same as the Texas share |
| Speeding | 34% | 32% | about the same as the Texas share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 4.1% | 10% | about the same as the Texas share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 51% | 45% | about the same as the Texas share |
| Hit-and-run | 1.4% | 7.6% | below the Texas share |
| A motorcycle involved | 5.4% | 14% | below the Texas share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 11% | 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 Shelby County, Texas
- How many people died in car accidents in Shelby County in 2024?
- 8 people died in 8 fatal crashes in Shelby County, Texas, in 2024, the same as in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Shelby County?
- State Highway 7 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Shelby County from 2015 to 2024: 15, with 15 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Shelby County involved a drinking driver?
- 21 of 74 fatal crashes in Shelby County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 28%, 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
- Denton County
- Bell County
All fatal crashes in Texas, with every county ranked.
Where the Shelby County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Shelby County (county code 419). 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/shelby-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”