Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Spearfish, SD recorded 6 traffic deaths in 6 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 8.8 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 56/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 56% of ranked US cities (#1 of 4 in South Dakota, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Spearfish, South Dakota?
Spearfish has a Road Danger Score of 56/100 (Near-Average Road Danger). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 6 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 6 people — 8.8 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, below the national average of 12.3.
Spearfish ranks #1 out of 4 ranked cities in South Dakota and #947 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 56% of ranked US cities.
The most distinctive factor in Spearfish's fatal crashes: speeding involved — 50% of fatal crashes, versus 28% nationally.
What’s Behind Spearfish’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 6 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Spearfish | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 0 | 0.0% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 3 | 50.0% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 1 | 16.7% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 1 | 16.7% | 49.8% |
Spearfish Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Spearfish, South Dakota 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 | 1 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2020 | 0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Spearfish, South Dakota?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Spearfish recorded 6 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 6 traffic deaths — an average of 1.2 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Spearfish?
Spearfish has a Road Danger Score of 56/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 56% of ranked US cities. The city averages 8.8 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Spearfish?
Of Spearfish's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 0% involved a drinking driver, 50% involved speeding, 17% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 17% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Spearfish each year?
An average of 1.2 people per year died in car accidents in Spearfish across 2020–2024 (6 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Spearfish more dangerous than in other South Dakota cities?
Spearfish ranks #1 of 4 ranked South Dakota cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #947 of 2,153 nationally.