Fatal Roads

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2020

South Dakota · year

South Dakota in 2020

Deaths 141Fatal crashes 132Per 100,000 15.9US deaths 39,007

FARS data are based on police crash reports and other sources; the drunk-driving measure is based on the highest BAC of any driver in the crash. Final FARS file for 2020.

In 2020, 141 people died in 132 fatal crashes in South Dakota, 15.9 deaths per 100,000 residents against 11.8 nationally.

The death toll rose 38% from 102 in 2019 to 141 in 2020.

South Dakota accounted for 0.4% of the 39,007 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

37.9% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

By FHWA road function class, the largest share was on other principal arterial roads (30%).

35% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Friday was the most common day.

← 201920202021 →All years

Compared with 2019 and the nation

MeasureSouth Dakota 2020South Dakota 2019United States 2020
Deaths14110239,007
Fatal crashes1328835,935
Deaths per 100,000 residents15.911.511.8
Crashes with a drinking driver38%32%27%

Counties in 2020

Every county with a fatal crash in 2020, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 47 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Minnehaha County202311.0149
Lawrence County91241.780
Pennington County11119.5141
Lincoln County668.056
Turner County6666.019
Codington County5517.131
Custer County4442.931
Fall River County4454.425
Meade County4412.943
Oglala Lakota County4429.975
Brown County3410.726
Hutchinson County3340.525
Bon Homme County1–2342.416
Brookings County1–21–2—24
Brule County1–21–2—6
Butte County1–21–2—18
Corson County1–21–2—14
Day County1–21–2—6
Deuel County1–21–2—8
Dewey County1–21–2—9
Douglas County1–21–2—4
Grant County1–21–2—18
Hughes County1–21–2—11
Jones County1–21–2—13
Moody County1–21–2—14
Roberts County1–21–2—30
Tripp County1–21–2—13
Union County1–21–2—18
Walworth County1–21–2—11
Yankton County1–21–2—38
Potter County1–21–2—4
Aurora County1–21–2—15
Bennett County1–21–2—10
Buffalo County1–21–2—14
Clark County1–21–2—5
Clay County1–21–2—12
Davison County1–21–2—13
Edmunds County1–21–2—12
Gregory County1–21–2—8
Haakon County1–21–2—7
Hamlin County1–21–2—8
Hand County1–21–2—5
Harding County1–21–2—10
Hyde County1–21–2—5
Marshall County1–21–2—8
Mellette County1–21–2—4
Spink County1–21–2—8

Per 100,000 uses the 2024 population estimate for every year, so early-year rates are understated where a county has grown.

Hour of day

12am1.5%
1am1.5%
2am2.3%
3am2.3%
4am2.3%
5am0.8%
6am3.8%
7am6.2%
8am3.1%
9am0%
10am5.4%
11am3.1%
12pm3.8%
1pm6.9%
2pm8.5%
3pm3.1%
4pm3.8%
5pm6.2%
6pm3.1%
7pm6.2%
8pm9.2%
9pm6.2%
10pm6.9%
11pm3.8%

Weekday

Sunday17%
Monday11%
Tuesday11%
Wednesday16%
Thursday11%
Friday17%
Saturday17%

Road type

Other principal arterial30%
Minor arterial27%
Major collector14%
Local14%
Interstate13%
Other freeways and expressways2%
Minor collector0%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in South Dakota in 2020?

141 people in 132 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2020 file, or 15.9 per 100,000 residents.

Which county in South Dakota had the most crash deaths in 2020?

Minnehaha County with 23 deaths in 20 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 2020 compare with 2019 in South Dakota?

141 deaths against 102 in 2019 (+38%). Nationally the 2020 total was 39,007.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2020 national file (accident table, vehicle and person tables); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.