| Data years | 2020-2024[1][2][3][4][5] |
|---|---|
| Deaths in car accidents, 2020-2024 | 159[1][2][3][4][5] |
| Deaths in car accidents, 2024 | 35[5] |
| Average annual deaths per 100,000 residents | 14.9[1][2][3][4][5][6] |
| Population, July 1, 2024 (estimate) | 232,454[6] |
| 2024 data file | FARS Annual Report File[5] |
Ellis County car accident statistics record 159 deaths in 140 fatal crashes from 2020 through 2024. Those deaths represented 81.1% of the county's 196 traffic deaths during that period. In 2024, car accidents accounted for 35 deaths and 85.4% of all traffic deaths recorded in the county. The average annual count for the full period was 31.8 deaths.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
A car accident here means a fatal crash involving at least one passenger car, SUV, pickup or van. The death count includes everyone killed in those crashes, using the categories People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans, People in other vehicles, and Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping). The figures use NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System and Census Bureau population estimates, with deaths assigned to the county where each crash occurred.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Contents
Car accident deaths in Ellis County by year
Car accident deaths fell from 41 in 2020 to 25 in 2021, then rose to 27 in 2022, 31 in 2023 and 35 in 2024. The highest count was in 2020, and the lowest was in 2021. The 2024 count was 6 deaths lower than the 2020 count.[1][2][3][4][5]
All traffic deaths followed a different yearly sequence: 50 in 2020, 35 in 2021, 33 in 2022, 37 in 2023 and 41 in 2024. Car accidents accounted for 82.0% of traffic deaths in 2020, 71.4% in 2021, 81.8% in 2022, 83.8% in 2023 and 85.4% in 2024. That share was highest in 2024 and lowest in 2021.[1][2][3][4][5]
| Year | Deaths in car accidents | All traffic deaths | Share in car accidents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 41 | 50 | 82.0% |
| 2021 | 25 | 35 | 71.4% |
| 2022 | 27 | 33 | 81.8% |
| 2023 | 31 | 37 | 83.8% |
| 2024 | 35 | 41 | 85.4% |
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 Ellis County car accidents
People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans accounted for 124 deaths, or 78.0% of car accident deaths in Ellis County from 2020 through 2024. This was the largest person category. People in other vehicles accounted for 15 deaths, or 9.4%, the smallest category. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 20 deaths, or 12.6%.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
These labels classify the people killed in the selected passenger-vehicle-involved crashes; they do not identify where those people lived. For readers searching for a car accident lawyer, keep the crash-location grouping in mind when reading these counts.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
How the fatal car crashes happened
Rear-end collisions accounted for 26 deaths, or 16.4%. Angle (side impact) and Head-on each recorded 24 deaths and 15.1%; Sideswipe recorded 1 death and 0.6%. Other accounted for 4 deaths, or 2.5%.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
Not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport accounted for 80 deaths, or 50.3%. Manner of collision describes the first harmful event. This row includes events such as striking a pedestrian, cyclist, parked vehicle or fixed object, or a rollover, rather than a collision between motor vehicles in transport. 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
Daytime (6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.) accounted for 74 car accident deaths in Ellis County from 2020 through 2024, or 46.5%. Nighttime (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.) accounted for 85 deaths, or 53.5%. Nighttime had the higher death count.[1][2][3][4][5]
The land-use classification recorded 93 deaths in urban locations, representing 58.5%, and 66 in rural locations, representing 41.5%. Urban locations had the higher count. Car accidents that also involved a large truck accounted for 31 deaths, or 19.5% of car accident deaths. These are deaths in crashes involving a large truck, rather than a count of crashes.[1][2][3][4][5]
Car accident death rate compared with Texas and the United States
Ellis County's car accident death rate was 14.9 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. Ellis County's rate was higher than both.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Rates for the listed neighboring counties were 11.2 in Dallas County, 8.2 in Tarrant County, 13.6 in Johnson County and 14.0 in Kaufman County. Ellis County's rate was higher than each. Among the listed neighboring counties, Kaufman County had the highest rate and Tarrant County the lowest. These rates divide deaths by the sum of annual Census Bureau population estimates and multiply by 100,000. They do not adjust for miles driven or visitors.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
| Area | Deaths, 2020-2024 | Average annual deaths per 100,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| Ellis County, Texas | 159 | 14.9 |
| Texas | 18,234 | 12.1 |
| United States | 176,219 | 10.5 |
| Dallas County, Texas (neighbor) | 1,463 | 11.2 |
| Tarrant County, Texas (neighbor) | 892 | 8.2 |
| Johnson County, Texas (neighbor) | 133 | 13.6 |
| Kaufman County, Texas (neighbor) | 121 | 14.0 |
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 Ellis County, of any vehicle type. Shares use all traffic deaths. Speeding-related recorded 86 deaths (43.9%); Roadway departure, 93 (47.4%); At an intersection, 24 (12.2%); and Pedestrian involved, 21 (10.7%). Motorcycle involved recorded 29 deaths (14.8%); Hit-and-run, 7 (3.6%); Driver distraction reported, 39 (19.9%); and In a work zone, 8 (4.1%).[1][2][3][4][5]
A crash can have several recorded characteristics, so the rows overlap and do not add to 100%. These entries are not findings of fault or cause. Their scope extends beyond the passenger-vehicle-involved crashes used for the car accident counts.[1][2][3][4][5]
| Recorded crash characteristic (all fatal crashes) | Deaths, 2020-2024 | Share of all traffic deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding-related | 86 | 43.9% |
| Roadway departure | 93 | 47.4% |
| At an intersection | 24 | 12.2% |
| Pedestrian involved | 21 | 10.7% |
| Motorcycle involved | 29 | 14.8% |
| Hit-and-run | 7 | 3.6% |
| Driver distraction reported | 39 | 19.9% |
| In a work zone | 8 | 4.1% |
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 involving a motor vehicle on a trafficway customarily open to the public and a death within 30 days. Nonfatal crashes and injuries are excluded. County counts follow crash location, not the residence of the people killed.[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. Rates divide 2020 through 2024 deaths by summed annual Census Bureau population estimates from Vintage 2025, then multiply by 100,000. The separate July 1, 2024 population estimate of 232,454 is not the denominator. The result is average annual deaths per 100,000 residents, without adjustments for miles driven or visitors.[8][6][7]
See also
References
- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2020 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2021 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2022 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2023 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwx "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2024 national data files (Annual Report File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghi "Annual resident population estimates for counties, April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2025 (CO-EST2025-ALLDATA)". U.S. Census Bureau. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefgh "Fatality Analysis Reporting System Analytical User's Manual, 1975-2024 (DOT HS 813 794)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- ab "Overview of motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2024 (DOT HS 813 791, April 2026)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record