States › Washington › 1989
Washington in 1989
Deaths 781Fatal crashes 694Per 100,000 —US deaths 45,582
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 1989.
In 1989, 781 people died in 694 fatal crashes in Washington.
The death toll was about level between 1988 (778) and 1989 (781).
Washington accounted for 1.7% of the 45,582 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
52% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
34% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.
Compared with 1988 and the nation
| Measure | Washington 1989 | Washington 1988 | United States 1989 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 781 | 778 | 45,582 |
| Fatal crashes | 694 | 700 | 40,741 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 52% | 56% | 39% |
Counties in 1989
Every county with a fatal crash in 1989, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 39 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King County | 140 | 146 | 6.2 | 1,260 |
| Pierce County | 64 | 68 | 7.2 | 794 |
| Snohomish County | 54 | 66 | 7.6 | 474 |
| Yakima County | 39 | 46 | 17.8 | 405 |
| Spokane County | 38 | 43 | 7.7 | 432 |
| Clark County | 31 | 33 | 6.3 | 324 |
| Whatcom County | 29 | 32 | 13.6 | 150 |
| Kitsap County | 26 | 29 | 10.3 | 177 |
| Lewis County | 21 | 23 | 26.4 | 113 |
| Grant County | 19 | 23 | 22.0 | 208 |
| Cowlitz County | 19 | 21 | 18.4 | 125 |
| Clallam County | 16 | 19 | 24.4 | 66 |
| Kittitas County | 13 | 19 | 39.4 | 106 |
| Thurston County | 16 | 17 | 5.6 | 219 |
| Skagit County | 16 | 16 | 12.1 | 150 |
| Mason County | 14 | 15 | 21.5 | 115 |
| Chelan County | 12 | 15 | 18.5 | 71 |
| Jefferson County | 9 | 15 | 44.2 | 54 |
| Grays Harbor County | 13 | 14 | 18.0 | 92 |
| Okanogan County | 12 | 13 | 28.9 | 86 |
| Adams County | 11 | 13 | 61.8 | 75 |
| Whitman County | 8 | 13 | 26.9 | 43 |
| Benton County | 11 | 11 | 5.0 | 177 |
| Franklin County | 9 | 11 | 10.9 | 81 |
| Walla Walla County | 7 | 8 | 12.9 | 51 |
| Island County | 6 | 8 | 9.3 | 66 |
| Douglas County | 6 | 6 | 13.1 | 41 |
| Stevens County | 6 | 6 | 12.2 | 68 |
| Pacific County | 5 | 5 | 20.6 | 28 |
| Ferry County | 4 | 5 | 66.3 | 25 |
| Skamania County | 3 | 5 | 39.5 | 37 |
| Columbia County | 4 | 4 | 99.4 | 5 |
| Pend Oreille County | 4 | 4 | 27.9 | 28 |
| Lincoln County | 3 | 3 | 25.3 | 39 |
| Klickitat County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 34 |
| Asotin County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 13 |
| Garfield County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 8 |
| San Juan County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 11 |
| Wahkiakum County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 6 |
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
Weekday
Questions and answers
How many people died in crashes in Washington in 1989?
781 people in 694 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1989 file.
Which county in Washington had the most crash deaths in 1989?
King County with 146 deaths in 140 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1989 compare with 1988 in Washington?
781 deaths against 778 in 1988 (0%). Nationally the 1989 total was 45,582.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1989 national file (accident table); US Census Bureau population estimates (no county estimates before 2000 are used, so no rate is shown for this year). Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.