Fatal Roads

States › West Virginia › 2022

2022

West Virginia · year

West Virginia in 2022

Deaths 266Fatal crashes 250Per 100,000 15.0US deaths 42,721

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 2022.

In 2022, 266 people died in 250 fatal crashes in West Virginia, 15.0 deaths per 100,000 residents against 12.8 nationally.

The death toll fell 6% from 282 in 2021 to 266 in 2022.

West Virginia accounted for 0.6% of the 42,721 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

27.2% 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 minor arterial roads (26%).

36% of the crashes happened between noon to 6pm; Friday was the most common day.

← 202120222023 →All years

Compared with 2021 and the nation

MeasureWest Virginia 2022West Virginia 2021United States 2022
Deaths26628242,721
Fatal crashes25025939,422
Deaths per 100,000 residents15.015.812.8
Crashes with a drinking driver27%28%26%

Counties in 2022

Every county with a fatal crash in 2022, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 53 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Kanawha County202413.8268
Cabell County131314.2117
Mercer County111322.6101
Berkeley County11118.1147
Raleigh County101013.8137
Wayne County9923.986
Jefferson County7914.779
Fayette County8820.762
Harrison County8812.472
Jackson County8828.960
Mason County8832.346
Monongalia County887.4107
Wood County889.7100
Logan County7722.967
Nicholas County7729.163
Mingo County6732.239
Lewis County4742.548
Boone County6629.339
Lincoln County6631.041
Preston County6617.650
Ohio County4614.644
Putnam County558.862
Upshur County4521.140
Grant County4436.532
Marion County447.245
Wyoming County4420.029
Marshall County3413.630
Braxton County3324.939
Clay County3339.018
Doddridge County3339.426
Greenbrier County339.463
Hampshire County3312.665
Hardy County3320.942
McDowell County3317.544
Monroe County3324.123
Randolph County3311.050
Roane County3322.233
Calhoun County1–21–2—12
Mineral County1–21–2—32
Pendleton County1–21–2—18
Ritchie County1–21–2—21
Webster County1–21–2—13
Barbour County1–21–2—30
Brooke County1–21–2—15
Gilmer County1–21–2—12
Morgan County1–21–2—23
Pleasants County1–21–2—8
Pocahontas County1–21–2—16
Taylor County1–21–2—15
Tucker County1–21–2—9
Tyler County1–21–2—20
Wetzel County1–21–2—21
Wirt 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

12am1.6%
1am3.2%
2am3.6%
3am1.6%
4am2%
5am3.6%
6am4%
7am3.2%
8am1.6%
9am2.8%
10am4.4%
11am4.8%
12pm5.6%
1pm4.8%
2pm9.2%
3pm4%
4pm7.6%
5pm4.8%
6pm5.6%
7pm9.2%
8pm4%
9pm3.2%
10pm2.8%
11pm2.8%

Weekday

Sunday12%
Monday13%
Tuesday14%
Wednesday15%
Thursday14%
Friday18%
Saturday14%

Road type

Minor arterial26%
Major collector26%
Other principal arterial20%
Interstate13%
Local11%
Minor collector4%
Other freeways and expressways0%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in West Virginia in 2022?

266 people in 250 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2022 file, or 15.0 per 100,000 residents.

Which county in West Virginia had the most crash deaths in 2022?

Kanawha County with 24 deaths in 20 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 2022 compare with 2021 in West Virginia?

266 deaths against 282 in 2021 (+-6%). Nationally the 2022 total was 42,721.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2022 national file (accident table, vehicle and person tables); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.