Fatal crashes in Cowlitz County, Washington
In 2024, 23 people died in 20 fatal crashes in Cowlitz County, Washington, up from 16 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 112 fatal crashes and 125 deaths, the 13th most of 39 counties in Washington.
20.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.2 across Washington in 2024; 11.4 against 8.2 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 113,982, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Washington.
Deaths in Cowlitz County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 20 | 23 |
| 2023 | 14 | 16 |
| 2022 | 10 | 12 |
| 2021 | 13 | 15 |
| 2020 | 7 | 7 |
| 2019 | 16 | 17 |
| 2018 | 9 | 11 |
| 2017 | 11 | 12 |
| 2016 | 5 | 5 |
| 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 Cowlitz County
I-5 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Cowlitz County from 2015 to 2024: 23, with 29 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 51% of all fatal crashes in Cowlitz County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 4 state highways. 54% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 46% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-5 | 23 | 29 | 6 | |
| 2 | State Highway 4 | 10 | 10 | 5 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 432 | 9 | 11 | 4 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 503 | 9 | 10 | 6 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 504 | 6 | 6 | 1 | no page |
Longview had 21% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 23 of 112.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Longview 23, Kelso 8. 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 Cowlitz County
112 fatal crashes in Cowlitz County, Washington 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 May.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 5.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 5.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Thu | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 3.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 8.0 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 6.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.1%
- Feb5.4%
- Mar11.6%
- Apr7.1%
- May13.4%
- Jun10.7%
- Jul8.0%
- Aug9.8%
- Sep7.1%
- Oct7.1%
- Nov6.2%
- Dec6.2%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Cowlitz County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 32%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 30%, a pedestrian in 14%, a rollover in 7.1%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 36 | 32% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 33 | 30% |
| Pedestrian | 16 | 14% |
| Other | 14 | 13% |
| Rollover | 8 | 7.1% |
| Parked vehicle | 3 | 2.7% |
| Cyclist | 2 | 1.8% |
| 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 Cowlitz County compare with Washington
The largest difference from Washington: from 2015 to 2024, 40% of fatal crashes in Cowlitz County were with a drinking driver, against 31% across Washington. Below the Washington share: intersections and hit-and-runs. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Washington. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 112 crashes.
| Cowlitz | Washington | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 48% | 42% | about the same as the Washington share |
| At or near an intersection | 17% | 26% | below the Washington share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 28% | 24% | about the same as the Washington share |
| A drinking driver | 40% | 31% | above the Washington share |
| Speeding | 38% | 31% | about the same as the Washington share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 21% | 21% | about the same as the Washington share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 43% | 40% | about the same as the Washington share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.9% | 6.3% | below the Washington share |
| A motorcycle involved | 17% | 17% | about the same as the Washington share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 13% | 18% | about the same as the Washington 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 Cowlitz County, Washington
- How many people died in car accidents in Cowlitz County in 2024?
- 23 people died in 20 fatal crashes in Cowlitz County, Washington, in 2024, up from 16 in 2023. That is 20.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.2 across Washington. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Cowlitz County?
- I-5 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Cowlitz County from 2015 to 2024: 23, with 29 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Cowlitz County involved a drinking driver?
- 45 of 112 fatal crashes in Cowlitz County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 40%, against 31% across Washington.
Other counties in Washington with a page
- King County
- Pierce County
- Snohomish County
- Spokane County
- Yakima County
- Clark County
- Thurston County
- Grant County
- Kitsap County
- Benton County
- Skagit County
- Whatcom County
All fatal crashes in Washington, with every county ranked.
Where the Cowlitz County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Cowlitz County (county code 15). 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/washington/cowlitz-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”