Fatal Roads

States › West Virginia › 2023

2023

West Virginia · year

West Virginia in 2023

Deaths 260Fatal crashes 233Per 100,000 14.7US deaths 41,025

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 2023.

In 2023, 260 people died in 233 fatal crashes in West Virginia, 14.7 deaths per 100,000 residents against 12.2 nationally.

The death toll was about level between 2022 (266) and 2023 (260).

West Virginia accounted for 0.6% of the 41,025 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

26.6% 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 (29%).

37% of the crashes happened between noon to 6pm; Thursday was the most common day.

← 202220232024 →All years

Compared with 2022 and the nation

MeasureWest Virginia 2023West Virginia 2022United States 2023
Deaths26026641,025
Fatal crashes23325037,769
Deaths per 100,000 residents14.715.012.2
Crashes with a drinking driver27%27%26%

Counties in 2023

Every county with a fatal crash in 2023, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 49 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Kanawha County232615.0268
Cabell County151617.5117
Hampshire County101250.465
Raleigh County101216.6137
Monongalia County91110.1107
Wood County9910.9100
Berkeley County896.6147
Wayne County8923.986
Mercer County7915.6101
Logan County7826.267
Boone County7734.239
Fayette County7718.162
Greenbrier County6722.063
Nicholas County6729.163
Harrison County5710.972
Mason County6624.246
Mineral County6622.432
Taylor County6636.515
Jackson County5518.060
Marion County559.045
Jefferson County458.279
Hardy County3534.942
Brooke County4418.815
Wyoming County4420.029
Monroe County3432.123
Ritchie County3449.021
Summers County3434.724
Doddridge County3339.426
Grant County3327.332
Lewis County3318.248
Lincoln County3315.541
Mingo County3313.839
Morgan County3316.923
Putnam County335.362
Upshur County3312.740
Pocahontas County1–2339.216
Preston County1–238.850
Hancock County1–21–2—15
Ohio County1–21–2—44
Roane County1–21–2—33
Wetzel County1–21–2—21
Calhoun County1–21–2—12
Clay County1–21–2—18
Gilmer County1–21–2—12
McDowell County1–21–2—44
Pendleton County1–21–2—18
Randolph County1–21–2—50
Tyler County1–21–2—20
Webster County1–21–2—13

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

12am1.3%
1am3.9%
2am1.3%
3am3.9%
4am1.7%
5am3.9%
6am3.9%
7am4.3%
8am0.9%
9am4.3%
10am3.4%
11am3%
12pm4.3%
1pm4.3%
2pm8.2%
3pm5.2%
4pm9%
5pm6%
6pm8.6%
7pm6.4%
8pm4.3%
9pm2.1%
10pm3%
11pm3%

Weekday

Sunday13%
Monday13%
Tuesday13%
Wednesday16%
Thursday18%
Friday12%
Saturday15%

Road type

Other principal arterial29%
Minor arterial24%
Major collector21%
Local10%
Interstate10%
Minor collector5%
Other freeways and expressways0%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in West Virginia in 2023?

260 people in 233 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2023 file, or 14.7 per 100,000 residents.

Which county in West Virginia had the most crash deaths in 2023?

Kanawha County with 26 deaths in 23 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 2023 compare with 2022 in West Virginia?

260 deaths against 266 in 2022 (+-2%). Nationally the 2023 total was 41,025.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2023 national file (accident table, vehicle and person tables); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.