Fatal crashes in Franklin County, Virginia
In 2024, 18 people died in 17 fatal crashes in Franklin County, Virginia, up from 11 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 116 fatal crashes and 125 deaths, the 20th most of 132 counties in Virginia.
32.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10.4 across Virginia in 2024; 22.5 against 10.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 55,637, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Virginia.
Deaths in Franklin County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 17 | 18 |
| 2023 | 10 | 11 |
| 2022 | 14 | 16 |
| 2021 | 12 | 12 |
| 2020 | 7 | 8 |
| 2019 | 15 | 16 |
| 2018 | 8 | 9 |
| 2017 | 11 | 12 |
| 2016 | 15 | 16 |
| 2015 | 7 | 7 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Franklin County
US 220 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Franklin County from 2015 to 2024: 31, with 34 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 47% of all fatal crashes in Franklin County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 2 state highways. 52% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 48% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 220 | 31 | 34 | 10 | |
| 2 | State Highway 40 | 17 | 19 | 7 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 122 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 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 Franklin County
116 fatal crashes in Franklin County, Virginia 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 6 pm to 7 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 | 3.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 7.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Thu | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 6.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan8.6%
- Feb3.4%
- Mar6.0%
- Apr12.1%
- May8.6%
- Jun9.5%
- Jul9.5%
- Aug9.5%
- Sep9.5%
- Oct9.5%
- Nov7.8%
- Dec6.0%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Franklin County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 44%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 41%, a rollover in 6.0%, a pedestrian in 5.2%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 51 | 44% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 48 | 41% |
| Rollover | 7 | 6.0% |
| Pedestrian | 6 | 5.2% |
| Other | 2 | 1.7% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 0.9% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.9% |
| 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 Franklin County compare with Virginia
The largest difference from Virginia: from 2015 to 2024, 94% of fatal crashes in Franklin County were on rural roads, against 55% across Virginia. Below the Virginia share: intersections, speeding, motorcycles and pedestrians. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Virginia. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 116 crashes.
| Franklin | Virginia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 94% | 55% | above the Virginia share |
| At or near an intersection | 13% | 23% | below the Virginia share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 35% | 31% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| A drinking driver | 35% | 29% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| Speeding | 20% | 29% | below the Virginia share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 7.8% | 11% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 50% | 55% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| Hit-and-run | 1.7% | 4.1% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| A motorcycle involved | 6.0% | 13% | below the Virginia share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 6.4% | 14% | below the Virginia 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 Franklin County, Virginia
- How many people died in car accidents in Franklin County in 2024?
- 18 people died in 17 fatal crashes in Franklin County, Virginia, in 2024, up from 11 in 2023. That is 32.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10.4 across Virginia. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Franklin County?
- US 220 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Franklin County from 2015 to 2024: 31, with 34 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Franklin County involved a drinking driver?
- 40 of 116 fatal crashes in Franklin County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 35%, against 29% across Virginia.
Other counties in Virginia with a page
- Fairfax County
- Chesterfield County
- Henrico County
- Virginia Beach city
- Prince William County
- Richmond city
- Norfolk city
- Chesapeake city
- Newport News city
- Pittsylvania County
- Spotsylvania County
- Hanover County
All fatal crashes in Virginia, with every county ranked.
Where the Franklin County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Franklin County (county code 67). 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/virginia/franklin-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”