Fatal Crashes Only
This report covers fatal crashes only, from the NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System — the federal census of every crash on a US public road that killed someone within 30 days. It does not include injury or property-damage-only crashes, and its totals are not comparable with the all-severity crash reports published elsewhere on this site.
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YEAR-OVER-YEAR CRASH REPORT · ILLINOIS · SEPTEMBER 2023
Purpose: Machine-readable JSON endpoint for AI agents, LLMs, researchers, and programmatic consumers. Returns all underlying crash data and AI-generated commentary without HTML.
Authentication: None required. Public endpoint.
GET: https://thatcarhitme.com/api/crash-data/reports/data/illinois/fatal/statewide/september-2023-report
Monthly Traffic Safety Analysis
121 CRASHES IN
ILLINOIS
SEPTEMBER 2023
Fatal crashes in September 2023 increased by 8.03% compared to September 2022, rising from 112 to 121 fatal crashes. Total fatalities also saw an increase of 8.94%, from 123 to 134. The most notable year-over-year shift was in hit-and-run fatal crashes, which increased by 55.56% from 9 to 14.
121
▲ 8.0%was 112
Total Crash Events
134
▲ 8.9%was 123
Persons Killed
88
▲ 1.1%was 87
Persons Injured
14
▲ 55.6%was 9
Hit-and-Run Crashes
Note: "Persons Killed" (134) counts individual fatalities across all crash events. "Fatal" in the severity table below (121) counts crash events where at least one fatality occurred. A single crash can result in multiple fatalities.
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-09-01 to 2023-09-30 · Aggregate counts from crash, person, and vehicle records
Trend Summary
Overall, fatal crashes in September 2023 showed an upward trend compared to the same month in the prior year. The number of fatal crashes increased by 8.03%, from 112 to 121. Similarly, total fatalities rose by 8.94%, from 123 to 134, indicating a worsening trend in traffic safety.
14
Hit-and-Run Crashes — September 2023
▲ 55.6% vs prior (9)
Hit-and-run fatal crashes increased significantly year-over-year, rising from 9 incidents in the prior period to 14 in the current period. This represents a 55.56% increase in the number of hit-and-run fatal crashes. The hit-and-run rate among fatal crashes also increased from 8% to 11.6%.
Vulnerable Road User Casualties
23
Pedestrians Killed
4
Cyclists Killed
106
Motorists Killed
1
Other Killed
1
Pedestrians Injured
0
Cyclists Injured
87
Motorists Injured
0
Other Injured
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-09-01 to 2023-09-30 · Mode classified from person records (driver/passenger → motorist; pedestrian; bicyclist → cyclist; in-line skater / unspecified → other)
When Crashes Happen
The peak day for fatal crashes shifted slightly, with both Friday and Saturday recording 27 fatal crashes in the current period, compared to Saturday having 24 and Friday 13 in the prior period. The peak hour for fatal crashes moved from 6 PM with 9 crashes in the prior period to 8 PM with 12 crashes in the current period. This suggests a shift in the timing of peak fatal crash occurrences.
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-09-01 to 2023-09-30 · Crash date field aggregated by weekday
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-09-01 to 2023-09-30 · Crash time field aggregated by hour (0-23)
Road & Environmental Conditions
Fatal crashes occurring in clear weather conditions increased from 100 to 107 year-over-year, while those in rainy conditions rose from 6 to 10. A notable shift occurred in lighting conditions, with fatal crashes in 'Dark - Not Lighted' areas significantly increasing from 22 to 42. Conversely, fatal crashes in 'Dark - Lighted' conditions decreased from 25 to 21.
Weather
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-09-01 to 2023-09-30 · Weather condition at time of crash
Lighting
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-09-01 to 2023-09-30 · Lighting condition field
Vehicles & Demographics
The total number of vehicles involved in fatal crashes increased from 185 to 200 year-over-year. Among specific makes, Dodge vehicles involved in fatal crashes saw a substantial increase from 5 to 17, and Toyota increased from 12 to 17. Conversely, Ford decreased from 27 to 23, and Chevrolet decreased from 22 to 19.
Top Vehicle Makes (200 vehicles)
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-09-01 to 2023-09-30 · Vehicle unit records
16 persons with unknown or unrecorded age excluded from age chart.
Sex Distribution (303 persons with recorded sex)
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-09-01 to 2023-09-30 · Person-level records linked to crash events
Speed Limit Zones
Fatal crashes in the 55 mph speed zone increased slightly from 38 to 40 year-over-year. More significant increases were observed in the 30 mph speed zone, rising from 12 to 21 fatal crashes, and the 35 mph speed zone, increasing from 9 to 16 fatal crashes. Crashes in the 45 mph zone saw a minor decrease from 17 to 16.
Fatal crashes by zone: 25 mph: 3 of 3 (100%) · 30 mph: 21 of 21 (100%) · 35 mph: 16 of 16 (100%) · 40 mph: 13 of 13 (100%) · 45 mph: 16 of 16 (100%) · 50 mph: 1 of 1 (100%) · 55 mph: 40 of 40 (100%) · 60 mph: 1 of 1 (100%) · 65 mph: 1 of 1 (100%) · 70 mph: 5 of 5 (100%)
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-09-01 to 2023-09-30 · Posted speed limit at crash location
Manner of Collision
The most dominant manner of collision in both periods was 'The First Harmful Event was Not a Collision with a Motor Vehicle in Transport,' accounting for 59 fatal crashes in the current period, a slight increase from 58 in the prior period. Front-to-Front collisions saw a significant increase, rising from 3 fatal crashes to 17. Angle collisions decreased from 34 to 31, and Front-to-Rear collisions decreased from 10 to 8.
Manner of Collision
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-09-01 to 2023-09-30 · Crash-level records
Vehicle Type
The most common vehicle body types involved in fatal crashes were '4-door sedan, hardtop' and 'Compact Utility'. Fatal crashes involving '4-door sedan, hardtop' decreased from 53 to 42, while 'Compact Utility' vehicles decreased from 42 to 38. Fatal crashes involving 'Two Wheel Motorcycle' increased from 22 to 24, and 'Truck-tractor' fatal crashes increased from 11 to 16, both representing high-fatality categories.
Vehicle Type
Showing top 9 of 23 reported. 14 additional (27 total) not shown: 2-door sedan,hardtop,coupe, Unknown body type, 5-door/4-door hatchback, Medium/heavy Pickup (GVWR greater than 10,000 lbs.), Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle, Utility station wagon (includes suburban limousines, Suburban, Travellall, Grand Wagoneer), 3-door/2-door hatchback, Convertible(excludes sun-roof,t-bar), Large Van-Includes van-based buses (B150-B350, Sportsman, Royal Maxiwagon, Ram, Tradesman,...), Off-road Motorcycle, Other vehicle type (includes go-cart, fork-lift, city street sweeper dunes/swamp buggy), Sedan/Hardtop, number of doors unknown, Transit Bus (City Bus), Unenclosed Three Wheel Motorcycle / Unenclosed Autocycle (1 Rear Wheel).
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-09-01 to 2023-09-30 · Vehicle unit records
Rural vs Urban
Fatal crashes in urban areas increased slightly from 81 to 83, while those in rural areas increased from 31 to 38 year-over-year. The proportion of fatal crashes occurring on rural trafficways increased from 27.7% to 31.4%. This elevated rural share is notable given that rural roads often have higher speeds and longer EMS response times.
Rural vs Urban
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-09-01 to 2023-09-30 · Crash-level records
Roadway Functional Class
In the current period, 'Other Principal Arterial' roads accounted for 44 fatal crashes, a slight increase from 42 in the prior period. 'Minor Arterial' roads saw a significant increase from 22 to 31 fatal crashes. Conversely, fatal crashes on 'Interstate' roads decreased from 14 to 9, and 'Local' roads decreased from 15 to 11.
Roadway Functional Class
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-09-01 to 2023-09-30 · Crash-level records
Roadway Ownership
State Highway Agencies continued to oversee the majority of fatal crashes, increasing from 67 to 73 year-over-year. City or Municipal Highway Agencies also saw a slight increase from 22 to 24 fatal crashes. Notably, County Highway Agencies experienced an increase in fatal crashes from an unspecified number in the prior period to 16 in the current period, while Town or Township Highway Agencies saw a decrease from 22 to 6.
Roadway Ownership
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-09-01 to 2023-09-30 · Crash-level records
Person Type
Drivers remained the dominant person type involved in fatal crashes, increasing from 183 to 198 year-over-year. Passengers also saw an increase from 77 to 84. Pedestrians involved in fatal crashes increased from 16 to 24, representing a notable rise in vulnerable road user fatalities.
Person Type
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-09-01 to 2023-09-30 · Crash-level records
Person Injury Severity
Fatalities (K) increased from 123 to 134 persons, and serious injuries (A) rose from 29 to 42 persons year-over-year. Minor injuries (B) decreased from 44 to 30, while possible injuries (C) increased from 12 to 15. The number of persons with no injuries (O) in fatal crashes also increased from 77 to 89.
Person Injury Severity
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-09-01 to 2023-09-30 · Crash-level records
Occupant Safety Equipment
The use of 'Shoulder and Lap Belt Used' in fatal crashes increased from 132 to 142 instances year-over-year. However, instances of 'None Used/Not Applicable' safety equipment also saw a significant increase, rising from 59 to 81. The number of 'Reported as Unknown' safety equipment instances decreased from 69 to 55.
Occupant Safety Equipment
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-09-01 to 2023-09-30 · Person-level records linked to crash events
Point of Impact
The '12 Clock Point' remained the dominant point of impact, increasing from 76 to 103 instances year-over-year. '11 Clock Point' impacts also increased from 8 to 14. 'Non-Collision' fatal crashes increased from 10 to 12, while '6 Clock Point' impacts remained constant at 11.
Point of Impact
"Other" combines 8 smaller categories (29 records): 3 Clock Point (6), 10 Clock Point (6), 4 Clock Point (4), 7 Clock Point (4), 5 Clock Point (3), Left (3), 8 Clock Point (2), 2 Clock Point (1).
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-09-01 to 2023-09-30 · Vehicle unit records
Vehicles Per Crash
Single-vehicle fatal crashes remained constant at 53 incidents in both periods. Two-vehicle fatal crashes increased from 48 to 59 year-over-year. Fatal crashes involving three vehicles remained stable at 7 incidents, while large multi-vehicle crashes (4+ vehicles) decreased from 4 to 2.
Vehicles Per Crash
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-09-01 to 2023-09-30 · Crash-level records
Data Sources & Methodology
Primary Data Source
All crash data in this report is sourced from NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes), accessed programmatically via the NHTSA FARS Open Data API (SODA). This dataset contains official police-reported motor vehicle traffic crash records maintained by the reporting jurisdiction's law enforcement agency. Records are published to the open data portal by the municipality and are subject to the portal's terms of use.
Data Retrieval
- Access method: NHTSA FARS Open Data API (SoQL queries)
- Data format: Structured JSON via REST API
- Record types queried: Crash events, person records, and vehicle unit records
- Date filter applied: 2023-09-01 through 2023-09-30
- Report generated: August 5, 2026
Data Coverage
- Reporting period: 2023-09-01 through 2023-09-30 (30 days)
- Geographic scope: Illinois
- Total crash records analyzed: 121
- Total persons involved: 311
- Total vehicles involved: 200
Analytical Methodology
- Severity classification: Uses the KABCO injury scale (K=Fatal, A=Incapacitating injury, B=Non-incapacitating injury, C=Possible injury, O=No injury/property damage only), the standard classification in U.S. Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria (MMUCC). Severity is assigned per crash event based on the most severe injury in that crash. A single fatal crash (K) may involve multiple fatalities; therefore the "Persons Killed" count in the headline KPIs may differ from the "Fatal" crash count in the severity breakdown.
- Contributing factors: Reflect the officer-determined primary contributory cause recorded at the time of the crash report. These are preliminary determinations and may not reflect final investigation findings.
- Hit-and-run classification: Based on the hit-and-run indicator field in the official crash report, as determined by the responding officer at the scene.
- Temporal analysis: Day-of-week and hour-of-day distributions are computed from the crash date/time timestamp in each record.
- Demographics: Age and sex distributions are drawn from person-level records linked to each crash event. A single crash may involve multiple persons.
- Vehicle data: Make information is drawn from vehicle unit records linked to each crash event.
- AI commentary: Narrative sections are generated by Google Gemini (large language model) based on the structured data. Commentary is descriptive, not predictive, and should not be interpreted as expert opinion.
Limitations & Disclaimers
- Only crashes reported to and documented by law enforcement are included. Minor incidents, unreported crashes, and near-misses are not captured in this dataset.
- Data reflects conditions at the time of the initial police report and may be subject to subsequent corrections, reclassifications, or supplements by the reporting agency.
- Open data portal records may experience a publication lag - recently occurring crashes may not yet appear in the dataset at the time of report generation.
- AI-generated commentary is produced by a large language model and is intended to highlight patterns in the data. It does not constitute legal, medical, or professional analysis.
- Percentages are calculated from reported data and are subject to rounding.
Non-Affiliation Disclosure
This report is produced independently by ThatCarHitMe.com (Injuria.ai). It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in partnership with any law enforcement agency, municipal government, state department of transportation, or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Data is sourced from publicly available government open data portals.
Data License
The underlying crash data is provided under the municipality's Open Data Terms of Use and is made available to the public for unrestricted use. This analysis and report is © 2026 Injuria.ai and may be cited with attribution using the suggested citation below.
Corrections & Feedback
If you believe any data in this report is inaccurate or have questions about our methodology, please contact: data@injuria.ai. We are committed to accuracy and will issue corrections promptly.
Suggested Citation
ThatCarHitMe.com (Injuria.ai). "Illinois Crash Intelligence Report: September 2023." Published August 5, 2026. Reporting period: 2023-09-01 to 2023-09-30. Data source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes), NHTSA FARS Open Data. Available at: https://thatcarhitme.com/crash-data/illinois/fatal/statewide/september-2023-report
About the Publisher
ThatCarHitMe.com is a crash data intelligence platform developed by Injuria.ai, a legal technology company specializing in traffic safety analytics. We aggregate and analyze publicly available government crash data to produce structured intelligence reports for communities, researchers, journalists, and legal professionals. Our reports combine programmatic data retrieval from official open data portals with AI-assisted narrative analysis.
Questions about this report's data or methodology: data@injuria.ai
ThatCarHitMe.com · An Injuria.ai Company
ThatCarHitMe.com
An Injuria.ai Company
Crash Data Intelligence
Data: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · NHTSA FARS
Period: 2023-09-01 – 2023-09-30
Generated: August 5, 2026 · All rights reserved
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