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 · WICHITA, KANSAS · 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/kansas/fatal/wichita/2023-annual-report
Yearly Traffic Safety Analysis
40 CRASHES IN
WICHITA, KANSAS
2023
In 2023, Wichita experienced 40 fatal crashes, a decrease from 46 fatal crashes in 2022, representing a 13.04% reduction. Total fatalities also decreased by 20%, falling from 50 in 2022 to 40 in 2023. A notable shift was observed in DUI-related fatal crashes, which increased by 142.8% from 7 in 2022 to 17 in 2023.
40
▼ -13.0%was 46
Total Crash Events
40
▼ -20.0%was 50
Persons Killed
32
▲ 68.4%was 19
Persons Injured
6
Hit-and-Run Crashes
Note: "Persons Killed" (40) counts individual fatalities across all crash events. "Fatal" in the severity table below (40) 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 · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Aggregate counts from crash, person, and vehicle records
Trend Summary
Overall, fatal crashes in Wichita decreased by 13.04% year-over-year, from 46 fatal crashes in 2022 to 40 fatal crashes in 2023. Concurrently, total fatalities saw a 20% reduction, falling from 50 in 2022 to 40 in 2023.
6
Hit-and-Run Crashes — 2023
▼ 0.0% vs prior (6)
The number of hit-and-run fatal crashes remained constant at 6 for both 2022 and 2023. However, the hit-and-run rate increased slightly from 13% of fatal crashes in 2022 to 15% in 2023.
Vulnerable Road User Casualties
10
Pedestrians Killed
2
Cyclists Killed
28
Motorists Killed
0
Pedestrians Injured
0
Cyclists Injured
32
Motorists Injured
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · 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 remained Saturday in both periods, increasing from 9 fatal crashes in 2022 to 12 in 2023. However, the peak hour shifted from 4 PM in 2022 with 5 fatal crashes to 10 PM in 2023 with 4 fatal crashes.
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash date field aggregated by weekday
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash time field aggregated by hour (0-23)
Road & Environmental Conditions
Fatal crashes occurring in clear weather conditions increased from 4 in 2022 to 7 in 2023, while those in cloudy conditions decreased from 5 to 2. Crashes during daylight hours decreased slightly from 20 in 2022 to 19 in 2023, and those in dark-lighted conditions also saw a minor reduction from 20 to 18.
Weather
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Weather condition at time of crash
Lighting
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Lighting condition field
Vehicles & Demographics
Ford vehicles were involved in the highest number of fatal crashes in 2023 with 9 incidents, up from 6 in 2022. Chevrolet, which was the top make in 2022 with 9 involvements, saw a decrease to 5 in 2023. Toyota maintained 6 involvements in both periods.
Top Vehicle Makes (58 vehicles)
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Vehicle unit records
3 persons with unknown or unrecorded age excluded from age chart.
Sex Distribution (94 persons with recorded sex)
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Person-level records linked to crash events
Speed Limit Zones
Fatal crashes in 30 mph speed zones increased from 9 in 2022 to 13 in 2023, while those in 40 mph zones decreased from 16 to 12. Crashes in 60 mph speed zones also saw a notable decrease from 9 in 2022 to 2 in 2023.
Fatal crashes by zone: 30 mph: 13 of 13 (100%) · 35 mph: 5 of 5 (100%) · 40 mph: 12 of 12 (100%) · 50 mph: 1 of 1 (100%) · 55 mph: 2 of 2 (100%) · 60 mph: 2 of 2 (100%) · 65 mph: 5 of 5 (100%)
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Posted speed limit at crash location
Manner of Collision
The dominant manner of collision in both periods was 'The First Harmful Event was Not a Collision with a Motor Vehicle in Transport,' though its count decreased from 32 fatal crashes in 2022 to 26 in 2023. Angle collisions, the second most frequent type, increased from 9 fatal crashes in 2022 to 11 in 2023.
Manner of Collision
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Vehicle Type
4-door sedans remained the most common vehicle body type involved in fatal crashes, though their count decreased from 22 in 2022 to 19 in 2023. Fatal crashes involving two-wheel motorcycles decreased by 40%, from 10 in 2022 to 6 in 2023, and large truck involvements decreased from 3 in 2022 to 1 in 2023.
Vehicle Type
Showing top 9 of 14 reported. 5 additional (5 total) not shown: Medium/heavy Pickup (GVWR greater than 10,000 lbs.), Minivan (Chrysler Town and Country, Caravan, Grand Caravan, Voyager, Voyager, Honda-Odyssey, ...), Motor Scooter, Unknown body type, 2-door sedan,hardtop,coupe.
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Vehicle unit records
Rural vs Urban
In 2023, the vast majority of fatal crashes, 39 out of 40, occurred on urban trafficways. Only 1 fatal crash was reported on a rural trafficway.
Rural vs Urban
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Roadway Functional Class
Minor Arterial roads saw an increase in fatal crashes from 12 in 2022 to 15 in 2023, becoming the functional class with the most incidents. Conversely, fatal crashes on Major Collector roads decreased from 13 to 9, and Interstate fatal crashes decreased from 8 to 7.
Roadway Functional Class
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Roadway Ownership
Fatal crashes on roadways owned by City or Municipal Highway Agencies slightly decreased from 30 in 2022 to 29 in 2023, remaining the most common ownership type. Fatal crashes on State Highway Agency roads also decreased, from 12 in 2022 to 9 in 2023.
Roadway Ownership
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Person Type
The number of drivers involved in fatal crashes decreased from 66 in 2022 to 57 in 2023. Pedestrian fatalities also saw a reduction, from 16 in 2022 to 10 in 2023. Conversely, passenger involvements increased from 20 to 25, and bicyclists, with 2 involvements in 2023, were not involved in any fatal crashes in 2022.
Person Type
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Person Injury Severity
Fatalities (K) decreased from 50 in 2022 to 40 in 2023. However, the number of persons sustaining serious injuries (A) increased from 10 to 11, minor injuries (B) increased from 7 to 11, and possible injuries (C) significantly rose from 2 to 9.
Person Injury Severity
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Occupant Safety Equipment
The use of 'Shoulder and Lap Belt Used' among participants in fatal crashes increased from 36 in 2022 to 52 in 2023. Concurrently, the number of participants recorded as 'None Used/Not Applicable' decreased substantially from 36 in 2022 to 16 in 2023.
Occupant Safety Equipment
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Person-level records linked to crash events
Point of Impact
The '12 Clock Point' (front impact) remained the most frequent point of impact, though its count decreased from 32 in 2022 to 27 in 2023. Impacts at the '1 Clock Point' also decreased, from 11 in 2022 to 7 in 2023.
Point of Impact
"Other" combines 6 smaller categories (7 records): 11 Clock Point (2), 7 Clock Point (1), Top (1), Reported as Unknown (1), 4 Clock Point (1), Non-Collision (1).
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Vehicle unit records
Vehicles Per Crash
Single-vehicle fatal crashes slightly decreased from 26 in 2022 to 25 in 2023. Two-vehicle fatal crashes also saw a reduction, from 17 in 2022 to 13 in 2023. The number of fatal crashes involving three vehicles decreased from 3 to 1.
Vehicles Per Crash
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · 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: 2023-01-01 through 2023-12-31
- Report generated: August 5, 2026
Data Coverage
- Reporting period: 2023-01-01 through 2023-12-31 (365 days)
- Geographic scope: Wichita, Kansas
- Total crash records analyzed: 40
- Total persons involved: 95
- Total vehicles involved: 58
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). "Wichita, Kansas Crash Intelligence Report: 2023." Published August 5, 2026. Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31. Data source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes), NHTSA FARS Open Data. Available at: https://thatcarhitme.com/crash-data/kansas/fatal/wichita/2023-annual-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: 2023-01-01 – 2023-12-31
Generated: August 5, 2026 · All rights reserved
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