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Media-Sourced Icy Road Fatality Statistics - 2008-2009 Winter Season

Based on news media reports, there were at least 477 deaths due to icy roads in the United States during the 2008-2009 winter season. The USDOT Federal Highway Administration data lists an average of 1,097 fatal crashes due to snowy and icy roads per year. Media-sourced crash statistics are incomplete, as not all fatal crashes are reported in newspapers and television. However, the media-sourced stats can give us an idea of the distribution of crashes on a state-by-state basis.

Help us maintain this list - If you know of an incident that is not listed here, please let us know.

Top Ten States for Icy Road Fatalities - 2008-2009 season [1]
# State Fatalities Notes
1. Indiana
50
In addition to its significant lead as the most deadly icy road state in the US, Indiana has suffered both the worst single accident (4 fatalities) and the highest single-day icy road death toll (7 on December 26) in the country.
2. Minnesota
35
3. Ohio
29
4,5,6 Illinois
28
20 incidents occured in December
4,5,6 Michigan
28
4,5,6 Pennsylvania
28
7. Iowa
24
8. Texas
19
9. Missouri
17
10. Oklahoma
16
13 incidents occured between December 9-16
Download Excel file of full state-by-state data - See full accident list

Deadliest Winter Storms for Icy Roads - 2008-2009 season [1]
# Event Fatalities Notes
1. December 23-24, 2008 Freezing Rain
49
49 lives lost during the two-day storm across the Midwest, Mississippi Valley and Plains.
2. January 26-29, 2009 Freezing Rain/Snow/Sleet
36
36 lives lost in the major storm across the Midwest, southern Plains, and mid-Atlantic.
3. December 16, 2008 Freezing Rain
23
23 lives lost in one storm across the Midwest and southern Plains, mainly in Texas and Oklahoma.
4. January 5-6, 2009 Freezing Rain
17
17 lives lost in the Midwest in less than 24 hours, from Arkansas to Ohio and Michigan.
5. January 19, 2009 Snowstorms
11
11 lives lost across the eastern US and midwest, 4 in Virginia.
6. December 26, 2008 Freezing Rain
10
10 lives lost in one storm across the Midwest, 7 of those in the state of Indiana.

* A secondary crash is an accident caused by additional vehicles colliding with the first accident vehicle and/or a Good Samaritan stopping to help.

Full Accident List - 2008-2009 season [1]
Date Location Fatalities Notes
4/7/2009 Minerva, OH 1
4/6/2009 Low Point, IL 1
4/4/2009 Green River, UT 1
4/4/2009 Limon, CO 2
4/1/2009 Little America, WY 2
3/31/2009 Adams County, CO 1
3/31/2009 Fort St. Vrain, CO 1
3/31/2009 Hudson, CO 1
3/30/2009 Gallup, NM 1
3/29/2009 Deer Lodge, MT 1
3/29/2009 Richfield, WI 3
3/29/2009 Goodman, MO 1 Bridge
3/27/2009 El Reno, OK 1 Secondary crash
3/27/2009 Hillsboro, KS 1
3/27/2009 South Summit, UT 1
3/21/2009 Princeton, MN 1
3/21/2009 Roseville, MN 1
3/19/2009 West Monroe, NY 1
3/11/2009 Kimball, MN 1
3/10/2009 Brookings, SD 1
3/10/2009 Duluth, MN 1
3/10/2009 Todd County, MN 1
3/10/2009 Fargo, ND 1
3/9/2009 Casselton, ND 1 Ambulance
3/8/2009 Blairsburg, IA 3
3/2/2009 Dakota County, MN 1
3/2/2009 West Roxbury, MA 3
3/2/2009 Hermitage, PA 1 Catch basin overflow/freeze
3/1/2009 Huntsville, AR 2
3/1/2009 Newark, NJ 1
3/1/2009 Medford, NY 1
3/1/2009 Long Island, NY 1
2/28/2009 Van Buren, AR 1
2/28/2009 Mercer, PA 2
2/28/2009 Jasper, MO 1
2/27/2009 Oakland, WI 1
2/27/2009 Lennox, SD 1
2/26/2009 South Pass, WY 3
2/26/2009 Moose Lake, MN 1
2/26/2009 Alpena, MI 2
2/26/2009 Plymouth County, IA 1
2/26/2009 Lexington, MI 1
2/25/2009 Berlin, VT 1
2/25/2009 Nora Springs, IA 1
2/25/2009 Chatfield, MN 1
2/23/2009 Rexburg, ID 1
2/22/2009 Chester Township, OH 1 Secondary crash*
2/22/2009 Manhattan, IL 1
2/22/2009 Plainfield, IL 1
2/21/2009 Michigan City, IN 1 SUV slid into train
2/21/2009 Olivia, MN 3
2/21/2009 Monticello, IL 1
2/20/2009 Ashland, MT 2
2/20/2009 Dunmore, MT 1
2/20/2009 Rochester, NH 2
2/19/2009 Ripley County, IN 1
2/19/2009 Lancaster, PA 1
2/19/2009 Greenville, OH 1
2/18/2009 Demotte, IN 1
2/17/2009 Snowville, UT 1
2/15/2009 Mantua, OH 1
2/15/2009 Vienna, OH 1
2/14/2009 Woodston, KS 1
2/14/2009 Philipsburg, PA 1
2/14/2009 Erie, PA 1
2/14/2009 Santiam Pass, OR 1
2/13/2009 Albia, IA 1
2/13/2009 Monticello, IA 1
2/13/2009 Fairview, UT 2
2/12/2009 Hinsdale, NY 1
2/12/2009 Beaver County, UT 1
2/11/2009 Albert Lea, MN 1
2/11/2009 Burien, WA 1 Bridge, secondary crash
2/9/2009 Thornton, NH 1 Secondary crash
2/9/2009 Taylor Mill, KY 1 Freezing fog possible
2/4/2009 West Wheatfield, PA 1
2/3/2009 Noblesville, IN 2 28-car pileup on I-69
1/31/2009 Stearns County, MN 1
1/30/2009 Grayson, KY 1
1/30/2009 LaPorte, IN 1
1/29/2009 Chester, NY 1
1/29/2009 Biddeford, ME 1
1/29/2009 Bluefield, VA 1
1/29/2009 Newell, WV 1
1/28/2009 Morgantown, WV 1
1/28/2009 Bedford County, VA 1
1/28/2009 Orange County, VA 1
1/28/2009 Texarkana, AR 1 Bridge
1/28/2009 Waverly, KS 1
1/28/2009 San Antonio, TX 1
1/28/2009 Odessa, TX 1 Secondary crash
1/27/2009 Brewster, MN 1
1/27/2009 Pulaski County, AR 2
1/27/2009 Odessa, TX 1
1/27/2009 Tama, IA 1
1/27/2009 Big Spring, TX 1
1/27/2009 Big Spring, TX 1
1/27/2009 Crawford County, IN 1
1/27/2009 Amboy, WA 1
1/27/2009 Lynden, WA 1
1/27/2009 Crimora, VA 1
1/27/2009 New Market, VA 1
1/27/2009 Albemarle County, VA 2
1/27/2009 Dallas, TX 1 Bridge
1/27/2009 Ripley, WV 1
1/26/2009 Chandler, OK 1
1/26/2009 Cowley County, KS 1
1/26/2009 Denver, CO 1
1/26/2009 Rogersville, MO 1
1/26/2009 St. Francois County, MO 1
1/26/2009 Miller County, MO 1
1/26/2009 Joplin, MO 1
1/26/2009 Neosho, MO 1
1/26/2009 Afton, OK 1
1/26/2009 Vernon, TX 1 Bridge
1/26/2009 Pea Ridge, AR 1
1/25/2009 Dwight, IL 1
1/25/2009 Hubbard, OH 1
1/25/2009 Wayne County, WV 1
1/24/2009 Buena Vista, CO 1
1/24/2009 Umatilla, OR 1
1/22/2009 Elko, NV 2
1/21/2009 Leggett, NC 1
1/21/2009 Gaylord, MI 1
1/20/2009 Oxford, NC 1
1/19/2009 Myersville, MD 2 40-vehicle pileup
1/19/2009 Prior Lake, MN 1
1/19/2009 Springfield, NJ 2
1/19/2009 Westampton, PA 1
1/19/2009 Accomack County, VA 1
1/19/2009 Rockbridge County, VA 1
1/19/2009 Brunswick County, VA 1
1/19/2009 Winchester, VA 1
1/19/2009 Harbeson, DE 1
1/18/2009 St. Ignace, MI 1
1/18/2009 Seymour, CT 1
1/18/2009 Mountain Rest, SC 1
1/17/2009 Pine Island, MN 1
1/17/2009 Troy Grove, IL 1
1/17/2009 Hamilton, MI 1
1/17/2009 Fort Dodge, IA 1
1/17/2009 Kent County, MI 1
1/17/2009 Allegan County, MI 2
1/15/2009 Greensboro, IN 2
1/15/2009 Kenai, AK 1
1/15/2009 Holland, OH 1
1/15/2009 Dubuque, IA 1 Secondary crash*
1/15/2009 Monticello, MN 1
1/15/2009 North Branch, MN 2
1/15/2009 Hastings, MN 1 Bridge
1/15/2009 Streetsboro, OH 1
1/14/2009 Porter, IN 1 20-car pileup
1/14/2009 Allen Township, OH 1 Crash with snowplow
1/13/2009 Carroll County, IN 1
1/13/2009 Hamburg, NY 1
1/13/2009 Greeley, CO 1
1/13/2009 Kingsley, IA 1
1/12/2009 Weston, WV 2 Tractor-trailer
1/11/2009 Union Mills, MD 1
1/11/2009 Covington, IN 1
1/10/2009 Nokesville, VA 1
1/10/2009 Angola, IN 1
1/9/2009 Easley, SC 2
1/7/2009 Mahanoy City, PA 1 6 tractor-trailer pileup
1/7/2009 Harvey's Lake, PA 1 Pedestrian
1/7/2009 Spanish Fork, UT 1
1/7/2009 Monroe County, MI 1
1/7/2009 Ionia, MI 1
1/7/2009 Emden, IL 1 Bridge
1/6/2009 Alexandria, IN 2
1/6/2009 Branch County, MI 1
1/6/2009 Chelsea, MI 1
1/6/2009 Howell, MI 1
1/6/2009 Montgomery County, MO 1
1/6/2009 Licking County, OH 2
1/6/2009 Licking County, OH 1
1/6/2009 Hamilton County, OH 1 Bridge, secondary accident*
1/6/2009 Tilton, IL 1 Bridge
1/6/2009 Fayetteville, AR 1 Bridge
1/6/2009 Oakland City, IN 1
1/6/2009 Montpelier, IN 1
1/5/2009 Crawford County, AR 1 Bridge, secondary accident*
1/5/2009 Crawford County, AR 2 Bridge, secondary accident*, (second pileup in same location)
1/5/2009 Jal, NM 1
1/4/2009 Farmington, MN 1
1/4/2009 Hazel Green, WI 2
1/4/2009 Old Fort, OH 1
1/4/2009 Inver Grove Heights, MN 1
1/4/2009 Amherst, NY 1
1/4/2009 Kremmling, CO 1
1/4/2009 Grand Rapids, MI 1
1/3/2009 Owyhee County, ID 2
1/3/2009 Dodge County, WI 1
1/2/2009 Alpoca, WV 1
1/2/2009 Billings, MT 1
1/2/2009 Parkdale, OR 3
1/2/2009 Bend, OR 1
12/31/2008 Buffalo, MN 1
12/29/2008 Kalispell, MT 1
12/29/2008 Missoula, MT 1
12/29/2008 Joliet, IL 3
12/29/2008 Coal City, IL 1
12/27/2008 Meadville, PA 1
12/27/2008 Washburn County, WI 1
12/26/2008 Fulton County, OH 1
12/26/2008 Richland County, ND 1
12/26/2008 Corona, NM 2 Tour bus
12/26/2008 McHenry County, IL 2
12/26/2008 Noblesville, IN 2 One of two fatal crashes near Indianapolis
12/26/2008 Noblesville, IN 1 One of two fatal crashes near Indianapolis
12/26/2008 Lafayette, IN 2 One of two fatal crashes in Lafayette
12/26/2008 Lafayette, IN 2 One of two fatal crashes in Lafayette
12/26/2008 Milbank, SD 2
12/26/2008 Cuba, NM 2
12/25/2008 Roy, WA 1
12/25/2008 Arcata, CA 1
12/25/2008 Sanilac County, MI 2
12/25/2008 Vanderbilt, PA 1
12/24/2008 Brookline, PA 1 Secondary accident*
12/24/2008 Christmas, PA 1
12/24/2008 Wildcat Pike, OH 1
12/24/2008 Cuddebackville, NY 1
12/24/2008 Shrewsbury, MA 1
12/24/2008 Shelbyville, IN 1
12/24/2008 Alexandria, MN 3 Secondary crash*
12/24/2008 Lawn, PA 3
12/24/2008 Caprivi, PA 1
12/24/2008 Liberal, KS 1
12/24/2008 Riley, KS 1
12/24/2008 Stover, MO 1
12/24/2008 Greenville, MO 1
12/24/2008 Lucas, IA 1
12/23/2008 Oberlin, OH 1
12/23/2008 Tipton, IA 1
12/23/2008 Anchorage, AK 1
12/23/2008 Marion, OH 1
12/23/2008 Dubois County, IN 2
12/23/2008 Dubois County, IN 1
12/23/2008 Freedom, IN 1
12/23/2008 Warrenton, MO 1
12/23/2008 South Fayette, PA 1
12/23/2008 Monroeville, PA 1
12/23/2008 Mansfield, TX 2 Bridge
12/23/2008 Marked Tree, AR 1
12/23/2008 Belington, WV 1
12/23/2008 Henrietta, OH 1
12/23/2008 Whitestown, IN 2
12/23/2008 Lake Zorinsky, NE 1
12/23/2008 Riverside, IA 2
12/23/2008 Belle Plaine, KS 1
12/23/2008 El Dorado, KS 1
12/23/2008 Russelville, AL 1 Bridge
12/23/2008 Effingham, IL 2
12/23/2008 Lockesburg, AR 1
12/23/2008 Avondale, OH 1 Bridge
12/23/2008 Cincinnati, OH 1
12/23/2008 Kansas City, MO 2
12/23/2008 Garfield, KY 1
12/23/2008 Lexington, KY 1 Bridge; secondary crash*
12/23/2008 Dawson Springs, KY 1
12/23/2008 Louisville, KY 1
12/23/2008 Vernal, UT 1
12/22/2008 Osceola, IA 1
12/22/2008 Berrien County, MI 1 30-vehicle pileup
12/22/2008 Seagoville, TX 1 Caused by sprinkler system
12/21/2008 New Carlisle, IN 4
12/21/2008 Westford, WI 1
12/21/2008 St. Ignatius, MT 1
12/21/2008 Westport, WA 1
12/21/2008 Washington, DC 1
12/20/2008 Mitchellville, IA 2
12/20/2008 Frankfort, IN 1
12/20/2008 Milton, WI 1
12/19/2008 Manhattan, KS 1
12/19/2008 Hamburg, PA 1
12/19/2008 Menomonee Falls, WI 1
12/19/2008 Keenesburg, CO 1
12/18/2008 Grove, OK 1
12/18/2008 Bend, OR 1
12/17/2008 Larimer County, CO 2
12/17/2008 Haugan, MT 1
12/17/2008 Warrick County, IN 1 Bridge
12/17/2008 Freeborn County, IA 1
12/17/2008 Louisville, KY 1
12/17/2008 Mount Sterling, KY 2
12/16/2008 Henry County, OH 1
12/16/2008 Farmington, PA 1
12/16/2008 Columbus, OH 1
12/16/2008 Terre Haute, IN 1
12/16/2008 South Bend, IN 2
12/16/2008 Missoula, MT 1
12/16/2008 Henry County, IN 3 Freezing Drizzle
12/16/2008 Waukesha County, WI 1 Secondary crash*
12/16/2008 Walters, OK 1
12/16/2008 Caddo County, OK 1
12/16/2008 Dawson, TX 1 Bridge
12/16/2008 Mansfield, TX 1 Bridge
12/16/2008 Haltom City, TX 1
12/16/2008 Alvorado, TX 1
12/16/2008 Van Zandt County, TX 1
12/16/2008 Poplar Bluff, MO 1
12/16/2008 New Madrid County, MO 1
12/16/2008 Fairfield, TX 1
12/16/2008 Elkhart, IN 1 Bridge
12/16/2008 Paducah, KY 1
12/16/2008 Sand Springs, OK 1
12/16/2008 Adair, OK 1
12/16/2008 Roger Mills County, OK 1
12/15/2008 Vandalia, IL 1
12/15/2008 Wood County, TX 1 Bridge
12/15/2008 Sequoyah County, OK 2
12/15/2008 Union City, TN 1
12/14/2008
Brattleboro, VT
1
12/14/2008
Sherburne County, MN
1
12/14/2008 Scott, WI 1
12/12/2008 Scott County, MS 1
12/12/2008 Puckett, MS 1
12/12/2008 Covington County, MS 1
12/12/2008 Mitchell, SD 1
12/12/2008 Cleveland, OH 1
12/12/2008 St. Joseph, MI 1
12/12/2008 Bledsoe, KY 2
12/11/2008 Waterford, OH 1
12/11/2008 Wyandotte County, KS 1
12/11/2008 Montgomery County, TX 1
12/10/2008 Magdalena, NM 1
12/10/2008 Springfield, MO 1
12/10/2008 Lake Crystal, MN 1
12/9/2008 Amarillo, TX 1
12/9/2008 Custer Park, IL 2
12/9/2008 Mannford, OK 1
12/9/2008 Turpin, OK 1
12/9/2008 Blackwell, OK 1
12/9/2008 Chandler, OK 2
12/9/2008 Topeka, KS 1 Bridge
12/8/2008 Wayland, MI 1
12/8/2008 Jackson, MI 1
12/8/2008 Benson, AZ 1
12/7/2008 Central City, IA 1
12/6/2008 Rogers, MN 2 Secondary crash*
12/6/2008 Rockland, PA 2
12/6/2008 Gallatin County, KY 1
12/6/2008 Marion County, WV 1
12/6/2008 Indianapolis, IN 1
12/6/2008 Roseville, MN 1
12/6/2008 Kanawha County, WV 1
12/5/2008 Grand Rapids, MI 2
12/5/2008 Grand Rapids, MI 1
12/4/2008 Eureka, MT 1
12/4/2008 Geneva, MN 1
12/4/2008 Maxatawny, PA 1
12/3/2008 Williamsburg, IA 1
12/2/2008 Fairway, IL 2
12/2/2008 Whitehall, MI 1
12/1/2008 Terre Haute, IN 2
12/1/2008 Findlay, OH 1 Cyclist
12/1/2008 Tremont, IL 2
12/1/2008 Champaign, IL 1
12/1/2008 Dayton, OH 1 Bridge
12/1/2008 Rock Falls, IL 1
12/1/2008 Columbus, KS 1 Bridge
12/1/2008 Blue Ridge, GA 1
12/1/2008 Carrabassett Valley, ME 1
12/1/2008 Peoria, IL 2
12/1/2008 Peoria, IL 1
12/1/2008 Kansas City, MO 1
12/1/2008 Hickory, NC 1
12/1/2008 Lake George, NH 1
11/30/2008 Pine County, MN 1
11/30/2008 Hudson, CO 1
11/28/2008 Chisholm, MN 1
11/26/2008 Ellingsburg, WA 1
11/25/2008 Liberty Center, OH 1
11/25/2008 Paulding County, OH 1
11/25/2008 Hancock County, OH 1
11/25/2008 Kettle River, MN 1
11/25/2008 Aplington, IA 1
11/25/2008 Jackson, KY 1 Bridge
11/25/2008 Portland, IN 1 Bridge
11/24/2008 Ponca, IA 1
11/24/2008 Miami County, IN 1
11/23/2008 Caldwell, ID 2
11/23/2008 Sioux City, IA 1
11/23/2008 Shenandoah County, VA 3
11/23/2008 Vienna, MD 1 Bridge
11/22/2008 Worthington, PA 2
11/21/2008 Allegan, MI 1
11/21/2008 Fort Wayne, IN 1
11/21/2008 Cedar Grove, WV 1
11/19/2008 Oakland, MI 2
10/14/2008 Montana City, MT 1
10/14/2008 Powell, WY 2
10/14/2008 Meeteetse, WY 1
10/14/2008 Johnson County, WY 1 Bridge
10/13/2008 Broomfield, CO 1 Bridge
10/13/2008 Tabernash, CO 1 Bridge

References:
1. Based on an online search of news media articles nationwide.

Educational Winter Driving Videos - Watch for Free:

Video: How to correct a slide on an icy road (and how to prevent them)Video: Icy Bridges: Weather's underrated killerVideo: Deadliest Weather: Freezing Rain

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1,836
Average annual
deaths in the US
from icy roads

136,309
Average annual
injuries in the US
from icy roads

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