Fatal crashes in Nelson County, Virginia
In 2024, 9 people died in 8 fatal crashes in Nelson County, Virginia, up from 8 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 58 fatal crashes and 60 deaths, the 51st most of 132 counties in Virginia.
Deaths in Nelson County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | 9 |
| 2023 | 8 | 8 |
| 2022 | 5 | 5 |
| 2021 | 10 | 10 |
| 2020 | 5 | 5 |
| 2019 | 4 | 4 |
| 2018 | 7 | 8 |
| 2017 | 4 | 4 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 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 Nelson County
US 29 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Nelson County from 2015 to 2024: 22, with 22 deaths. The 2 roads listed held 48% of all fatal crashes in Nelson County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 1 state highway. 76% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 24% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 29 | 22 | 22 | 9 | |
| 2 | State Highway 151 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 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 Nelson County
58 fatal crashes in Nelson 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 noon to 1 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 | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 8.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 6.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 6.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Tue | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Fri | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 6.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crash |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.2%
- Feb5.2%
- Mar10.3%
- Apr3.4%
- May10.3%
- Jun10.3%
- Jul12.1%
- Aug8.6%
- Sep8.6%
- Oct12.1%
- Nov6.9%
- Dec6.9%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Nelson County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 47%; a collision with another vehicle in 36%, a pedestrian in 3.4%, a rollover in 3.4%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 27 | 47% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 21 | 36% |
| Other | 5 | 8.6% |
| Pedestrian | 2 | 3.4% |
| Rollover | 2 | 3.4% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 1.7% |
| 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 Nelson County compare with Virginia
The largest difference from Virginia: from 2015 to 2024, 100% of fatal crashes in Nelson County were on rural roads, against 55% across Virginia. Below the Virginia share: 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 58 crashes.
| Nelson | Virginia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 100% | 55% | above the Virginia share |
| At or near an intersection | 26% | 23% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 28% | 31% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| A drinking driver | 26% | 29% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| Speeding | 22% | 29% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 19% | 11% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 55% | 55% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.0% | 4.1% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| A motorcycle involved | 6.9% | 13% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 3.3% | 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 Nelson County, Virginia
- How many people died in car accidents in Nelson County in 2024?
- 9 people died in 8 fatal crashes in Nelson County, Virginia, in 2024, up from 8 in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Nelson County?
- US 29 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Nelson County from 2015 to 2024: 22, with 22 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Nelson County involved a drinking driver?
- 15 of 58 fatal crashes in Nelson County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 26%, 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 Nelson County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Nelson County (county code 125). 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/nelson-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”