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

Car accident deaths in El Paso County by year

Car accident deaths rose from 70 in 2020 to 85 in 2021, fell to 76 in 2022, and returned to 85 in 2023. The count then fell to 66 in 2024. The highest count was shared by 2021 and 2023, while 2024 had the lowest count. The 2024 count was 4 deaths lower than the 2020 count.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

All traffic deaths numbered 81 in 2020, 99 in 2021, 89 in 2022, 101 in 2023 and 81 in 2024. The share attributed to car accidents declined each year: 86.4% in 2020, 85.9% in 2021, 85.4% in 2022, 84.2% in 2023 and 81.5% in 2024.^{[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 El Paso County car accidents

People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans accounted for 242 deaths, or 63.4% of car accident deaths during 2020 through 2024. This was the largest person category. People in other vehicles accounted for 52 deaths, or 13.6%, the smallest category. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 88 deaths, or 23.0%.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Each category includes deaths in crashes involving a passenger vehicle, with counts assigned to the crash location. For readers searching for a car accident lawyer, the grouping to keep in mind is where the crash happened, rather than where the person lived.^{[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 86 deaths (22.5%), Head-on for 22 (5.8%), Rear-end for 61 (16.0%), and Sideswipe for 13 (3.4%). Unknown accounted for 1 death (0.3%).^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport accounted for 199 deaths (52.1%). 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 vehicle stopped in traffic can be in transport; 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 259 car accident deaths, or 67.8%, during 2020 through 2024. Daytime, from 6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m., accounted for 123 deaths, or 32.2%. The nighttime count was higher than the daytime count.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

The land-use classification recorded 357 deaths in urban locations (93.5%) and 25 in rural locations (6.5%). These are classifications of crash locations. Crashes that also involved a large truck accounted for 40 car accident deaths, or 10.5% of the county's car accident death count.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Car accident death rate compared with Texas and the United States

El Paso County's car accident death rate was 8.8 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. The county rate was lower than both. Listed neighboring county Doña Ana County, New Mexico, recorded a rate of 9.4, also higher than El Paso County's rate.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

These rates divide deaths during the period by the sum of annual Census Bureau population estimates and multiply by 100,000. They do not adjust for miles driven or visitors. The county's 2024 population estimate of 879,894 is shown separately; that single-year population figure is not the denominator used for the period's 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 El Paso County, of any vehicle type. Shares use all traffic deaths, rather than only car accident deaths. Speeding-related crashes accounted for 186 deaths (41.2%); roadway departure, 159 (35.3%); and at an intersection, 147 (32.6%). Pedestrian involved accounted for 103 deaths (22.8%), and motorcycle involved for 87 (19.3%).^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Hit-and-run accounted for 48 deaths (10.6%); driver distraction reported, 59 (13.1%); and in a work zone, 18 (4.0%). A crash can carry several characteristics, so rows overlap and do not add to 100%. These records are 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 NHTSA's census of fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes. Inclusion requires a motor vehicle traveling on a trafficway customarily open to the public and a vehicle occupant or nonoccupant dying within 30 days. Nonfatal crashes and injuries are excluded. Counts follow the county where the crash happened, not where the person lived.^[8][6][7]

Data for 2020 through 2023 are Final Files. The 2024 Annual Report File can change when replaced by the Final File. Rates use deaths divided by summed annual Census Bureau population estimates from Vintage 2025, multiplied by 100,000, to express average annual deaths per 100,000 residents. They do not adjust for miles driven or visitors; the separately shown 2024 population is not their denominator.^[8][6][7]

See also

• Texas car accident statistics (2020-2024)