Car accident statistics for Ector County, Texas (2020-2024)

Car accident deaths in Ector County by year

Car accident deaths fell from 48 in 2020 to 36 in 2021, then rose to 40 in 2022 and 45 in 2023. The count remained unchanged at 45 in 2024. The highest year was 2020, and the lowest was 2021. Comparing the endpoints, the 2024 count was 3 deaths lower than the 2020 count.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

All traffic deaths numbered 57 in 2020, 43 in 2021, 42 in 2022, 47 in 2023 and 50 in 2024. The shares classified as car accident deaths were 84.2%, 83.7%, 95.2%, 95.7% and 90.0%, respectively. That share was highest in 2023 and lowest in 2021, while the lowest count of all traffic deaths occurred in 2022.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Deaths within 30 days in crashes on public roads. 2024 figures come from the FARS Annual Report File and can be revised.

Who died in Ector County car accidents

People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans accounted for 162 deaths, or 75.7% of car accident deaths during 2020 through 2024. This was the largest person category. People in other vehicles accounted for 23 deaths, or 10.7%, the smallest category. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 29 deaths, or 13.6%.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

These labels classify people killed in the selected passenger-vehicle-involved crashes. The Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) label follows the FARS classification rather than a literal test of vehicle occupancy. For a reader searching for a car accident lawyer, the relevant grouping here is crash location, not residency.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

How the fatal car crashes happened

Manner of collision describes the first harmful event. Angle (side impact) accounted for 59 deaths, or 27.6%; Head-on for 47, or 22.0%; Rear-end for 23, or 10.7%; and Sideswipe for 5, or 2.3%. Other accounted for 3 deaths, or 1.4%.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport accounted for 77 car accident deaths, or 36.0%. This means the first harmful event was not a collision between motor vehicles in transport. Examples include striking a pedestrian, cyclist, parked vehicle or fixed object, or a rollover. A motor vehicle in transport can be stopped in traffic; physical movement is not the test.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Time of day and setting

Nighttime, defined as 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m., accounted for 134 car accident deaths, or 62.6%, from 2020 through 2024. Daytime, from 6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m., accounted for 80 deaths, or 37.4%. The nighttime count was higher than the daytime count.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

The urban classification recorded 174 deaths, or 81.3%, while the rural classification recorded 40 deaths, or 18.7%. These classifications describe crash locations. In a separate measure of vehicle involvement, car accident deaths in crashes that also involved a large truck numbered 39, representing 18.2% of the selected deaths.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Car accident death rate compared with Texas and the United States

Ector County's car accident death rate was 25.9 average annual deaths per 100,000 residents for 2020 through 2024. The Texas rate was 12.1, and the United States rate was 10.5. Listed neighboring Midland County had a rate of 20.0. Ector County's rate was higher than each of these comparison rates.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

The corresponding death counts were 214 in Ector County, 18,234 in Texas, 176,219 nationally and 175 in Midland County. Rates use deaths divided by the sum of annual Census population estimates, multiplied by 100,000. They do not adjust for miles driven or visitors. Ector County's separately displayed 2024 population estimate of 170,654 is not the denominator used for this rate.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

Rates divide deaths by the sum of annual Census population estimates, so they show deaths per 100,000 residents per year. They do not adjust for miles driven or for visitors.

Recorded characteristics of all fatal crashes

Recorded characteristics cover all fatal crashes in Ector County, of any vehicle type, rather than only car accident deaths. Shares use all traffic deaths: Speeding-related recorded 84 deaths (35.1%); Roadway departure, 94 (39.3%); At an intersection, 83 (34.7%); and Pedestrian involved, 35 (14.6%).^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Motorcycle involved recorded 30 deaths (12.6%); Hit-and-run, 16 (6.7%); Driver distraction reported, 14 (5.9%); and In a work zone, 11 (4.6%). Roadway departure had the largest listed share. A crash can have several characteristics, so rows overlap and do not add to 100%. These are recorded characteristics, not findings of fault or cause.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

A crash can carry several characteristics, so the rows overlap and do not add to 100%. These are recorded characteristics, not findings of fault.

About these figures

FARS is a census of fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes. Inclusion requires a motor vehicle traveling on a trafficway customarily open to the public and an occupant or nonoccupant dying within 30 days. Nonfatal crashes and injuries are excluded. County counts follow crash location, not the deceased person's residence.^[8][6][7]

The 2020 through 2023 figures use FARS Final Files. The 2024 Annual Report File can change when replaced by the Final File. Car accident rates divide deaths for 2020 through 2024 by the sum of annual Census Bureau population estimates from Vintage 2025, then multiply by 100,000. The separate July 1, 2024 population estimate is not that denominator. Rates do not adjust for miles driven or visitors.^[8][6][7]

See also

• Car accident statistics for Midland County, Texas (2020-2024)
• Texas car accident statistics (2020-2024)