Intersections are among the most hazardous areas on the road due to the complexity of traffic flow and the potential for human error. This danger is particularly evident in the Midwest, where from 2004 to 2022, over 35,000 fatalities were linked to intersection-related accidents—an average of 2,000 deaths per year.
But which intersections pose the highest risk for motorists in this region?
To gain insight into the deadliest intersections in the Midwest, Sam Aguiar Injury Lawyers analyzed fatal crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) covering the years 2004 to 2022.
Key Findings
- Fatal crashes at Midwest intersections are less likely to involve pedestrians compared to other U.S. regions. Only 10% of intersection-related fatalities in the Midwest (about 3,300 out of 32,082 crashes) involved a pedestrian.
- The Midwest experienced a small increase in intersection-related fatalities and crashes, with both metrics rising by just over 2%.
- Two states, Ohio and Missouri, had three intersections among the ten most deadly.
- Fatal intersection-related crashes in the Midwest are more likely to occur in cloudy conditions than in other U.S. regions
Cloudy Weather Conditions and Fatal Crashes in the Midwest
Midwestern intersections are more prone to fatal crashes during cloudy weather than those in other regions. Around 12% of intersection-related crashes in the Midwest occurred under cloudy conditions, which are often accompanied by rain, snow, hail, or fog. These weather conditions can reduce visibility and traction, increasing the likelihood of accidents. This is especially true when large commercial vehicles are involved.
The 10 Deadliest Intersections in the Midwest
Here are the intersections with the highest number of fatal crashes during the observation period:
US-20 & SR-109
Fulton County, Ohio
Traffic Control Device: None
Intersection Type: Four-Way Intersection
Fatal Crashes: 6
Fatalities: 6
US-83 & SR-23 (247th Avenue SE)
Ward County, North Dakota
Traffic Control Device: Stop Sign
Intersection Type: Four-Way Intersection
Fatal Crashes: 6
Fatalities: 6
SR-13 & SR-123
Polk County, Missouri
Traffic Control Device: Stop Sign
Intersection Type: Four-Way Intersection
Fatal Crashes: 6
Fatalities: 6
Quince Road & SR-2 (Western Avenue)
St. Joseph County, Indiana
Traffic Control Device: Traffic Light
Intersection Type: Four-Way Intersection
Fatal Crashes: 5
Fatalities: 6
US-42 & SR-89
Ashland County, Ohio
Traffic Control Device: Stop Sign
Intersection Type: Four-Way Intersection
Fatal Crashes: 4
Fatalities: 4
US-42 & SR-302
Ashland County, Ohio
Traffic Control Device: Stop Sign
Intersection Type: Four-Way Intersection
Fatal Crashes: 4
Fatalities: 5
US-81 & SR-12 (890th Road)
Cedar County, Nebraska
Traffic Control Device: Stop Sign
Intersection Type: Four-Way Intersection
Fatal Crashes: 4
Fatalities: 6
SR-13 & SR-248
Stone County, Missouri
Traffic Control Device: Stop Sign
Intersection Type: Four-Way Intersection
Fatal Crashes: 4
Fatalities: 6
US-60 & SR-HH
Newton County, Missouri
Traffic Control Device: None
Intersection Type: Four-Way Intersection
Fatal Crashes: 4
Fatalities: 4
SR-37 & Main Street
Lawrence County, Indiana
Traffic Control Device: Traffic Light
Intersection Type: Four-Way Intersection
Fatal Crashes: 4
Fatalities: 4
Data and Methodology
This study is based on fatal crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the years 2004 through 2022. Only crashes flagged as “intersection-related” by the NHTSA were included in the analysis. The Midwest, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, includes the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.