States › Washington › 2008
Washington in 2008
Deaths 521Fatal crashes 482Per 100,000 7.9US deaths 37,423
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 2008.
In 2008, 521 people died in 482 fatal crashes in Washington, 7.9 deaths per 100,000 residents against 12.3 nationally.
The death toll fell 9% from 571 in 2007 to 521 in 2008.
Washington accounted for 1.4% of the 37,423 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
42.3% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
31% of the crashes happened between noon to 6pm; Saturday was the most common day.
Compared with 2007 and the nation
| Measure | Washington 2008 | Washington 2007 | United States 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 521 | 571 | 37,423 |
| Fatal crashes | 482 | 531 | 34,172 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | 7.9 | 8.8 | 12.3 |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 42% | 44% | 33% |
Counties in 2008
Every county with a fatal crash in 2008, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 38 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King County | 90 | 96 | 4.1 | 1,260 |
| Pierce County | 65 | 69 | 7.3 | 794 |
| Snohomish County | 32 | 34 | 3.9 | 474 |
| Thurston County | 21 | 26 | 8.6 | 219 |
| Yakima County | 24 | 24 | 9.3 | 405 |
| Spokane County | 20 | 22 | 4.0 | 432 |
| Whatcom County | 21 | 21 | 8.9 | 150 |
| Skagit County | 19 | 20 | 15.1 | 150 |
| Kitsap County | 17 | 18 | 6.4 | 177 |
| Grant County | 17 | 17 | 16.2 | 208 |
| Clark County | 14 | 15 | 2.8 | 324 |
| Cowlitz County | 11 | 12 | 10.5 | 125 |
| Franklin County | 10 | 12 | 11.9 | 81 |
| Lewis County | 10 | 11 | 12.6 | 113 |
| Chelan County | 10 | 10 | 12.3 | 71 |
| Whitman County | 8 | 10 | 20.7 | 43 |
| Kittitas County | 8 | 9 | 18.7 | 106 |
| Mason County | 8 | 9 | 12.9 | 115 |
| Okanogan County | 6 | 9 | 20.0 | 86 |
| Grays Harbor County | 7 | 8 | 10.3 | 92 |
| Adams County | 6 | 7 | 33.3 | 75 |
| Clallam County | 6 | 7 | 9.0 | 66 |
| Jefferson County | 6 | 7 | 20.6 | 54 |
| Klickitat County | 6 | 6 | 24.9 | 34 |
| Stevens County | 6 | 6 | 12.2 | 68 |
| Walla Walla County | 5 | 6 | 9.7 | 51 |
| Lincoln County | 4 | 5 | 42.2 | 39 |
| Pacific County | 4 | 4 | 16.5 | 28 |
| Benton County | 3 | 3 | 1.4 | 177 |
| Island County | 3 | 3 | 3.5 | 66 |
| Skamania County | 3 | 3 | 23.7 | 37 |
| Columbia County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 5 |
| Douglas County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 41 |
| Ferry County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 25 |
| Garfield County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 8 |
| Pend Oreille County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 28 |
| 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 2008?
521 people in 482 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2008 file, or 7.9 per 100,000 residents.
Which county in Washington had the most crash deaths in 2008?
King County with 96 deaths in 90 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 2008 compare with 2007 in Washington?
521 deaths against 571 in 2007 (+-9%). Nationally the 2008 total was 37,423.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2008 national file (accident table); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.