Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, East St. Louis, IL recorded 26 traffic deaths in 25 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 19.8 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 94/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 94% of ranked US cities (#5 of 147 in Illinois, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in East St. Louis, Illinois?
East St. Louis has a Road Danger Score of 94/100 (High Road Danger). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 25 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 26 people — 19.8 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, above the national average of 12.3.
East St. Louis ranks #5 out of 147 ranked cities in Illinois and #121 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 94% of ranked US cities.
The most distinctive factor in East St. Louis's fatal crashes: speeding involved — 56% of fatal crashes, versus 28% nationally.
Traffic deaths in East St. Louis fell 23% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind East St. Louis’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 25 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | East St. Louis | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 11 | 44.0% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 14 | 56.0% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 8 | 32.0% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 19 | 76.0% | 49.8% |
East St. Louis Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in East St. Louis, Illinois from NHTSA FARS. Single-year swings are normal in smaller cities; the Road Danger Score uses the full 5-year window.
| Year | Traffic Deaths |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2020 | 3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in East St. Louis, Illinois?
According to NHTSA FARS data, East St. Louis recorded 25 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 26 traffic deaths — an average of 5.2 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in East St. Louis?
East St. Louis has a Road Danger Score of 94/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 94% of ranked US cities. The city averages 19.8 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in East St. Louis?
Of East St. Louis's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 44% involved a drinking driver, 56% involved speeding, 32% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 76% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in East St. Louis each year?
An average of 5.2 people per year died in car accidents in East St. Louis across 2020–2024 (26 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in East St. Louis more dangerous than in other Illinois cities?
East St. Louis ranks #5 of 147 ranked Illinois cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #121 of 2,153 nationally.