Fatal crashes in Roanoke County, Virginia
In 2024, 7 people died in 7 fatal crashes in Roanoke County, Virginia, down from 9 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 76 fatal crashes and 84 deaths, the 35th most of 132 counties in Virginia.
Deaths in Roanoke County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | 7 |
| 2023 | 8 | 9 |
| 2022 | 11 | 11 |
| 2021 | 6 | 7 |
| 2020 | 9 | 11 |
| 2019 | 10 | 11 |
| 2018 | 4 | 5 |
| 2017 | 7 | 8 |
| 2016 | 5 | 5 |
| 2015 | 9 | 10 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Roanoke County
I-81 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Roanoke County from 2015 to 2024: 21, with 26 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 51% of all fatal crashes in Roanoke County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 2 US routes. 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.
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 Roanoke County
76 fatal crashes in Roanoke 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 2 pm to 3 pm; the worst month is February.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 6.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Mon | 3.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 5.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan3.9%
- Feb15.8%
- Mar5.3%
- Apr7.9%
- May11.8%
- Jun9.2%
- Jul5.3%
- Aug9.2%
- Sep3.9%
- Oct14.5%
- Nov7.9%
- Dec5.3%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Roanoke 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 41%, a pedestrian in 9.2%, a rollover in 1.3%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 35 | 46% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 31 | 41% |
| Pedestrian | 7 | 9.2% |
| Other | 2 | 2.6% |
| Rollover | 1 | 1.3% |
| 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 Roanoke County compare with Virginia
The largest difference from Virginia: from 2015 to 2024, 28% of fatal crashes in Roanoke County were on rural roads, against 55% across Virginia. 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 76 crashes.
| Roanoke | Virginia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 28% | 55% | below the Virginia share |
| At or near an intersection | 32% | 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 | 28% | 29% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 13% | 11% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 52% | 55% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.6% | 4.1% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| A motorcycle involved | 13% | 13% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 8.3% | 14% | about the same as 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 Roanoke County, Virginia
- How many people died in car accidents in Roanoke County in 2024?
- 7 people died in 7 fatal crashes in Roanoke County, Virginia, in 2024, down from 9 in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Roanoke County?
- I-81 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Roanoke County from 2015 to 2024: 21, with 26 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Roanoke County involved a drinking driver?
- 20 of 76 fatal crashes in Roanoke 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 Roanoke County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Roanoke County (county code 161). 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/roanoke-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”