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 · MINNESOTA · 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/minnesota/fatal/statewide/2023-annual-report
Yearly Traffic Safety Analysis
364 CRASHES IN
MINNESOTA
2023
The jurisdiction experienced a decrease in fatal crashes and fatalities from 2022 to 2023. Total fatal crashes decreased by 12.92%, from 418 in 2022 to 364 in 2023. The number of fatalities also saw a decrease of 9.46%, from 444 in 2022 to 402 in 2023. A notable shift was the significant reduction in fatal crashes occurring in snowy conditions.
364
▼ -12.9%was 418
Total Crash Events
402
▼ -9.5%was 444
Persons Killed
253
▼ -20.2%was 317
Persons Injured
13
Hit-and-Run Crashes
Note: "Persons Killed" (402) counts individual fatalities across all crash events. "Fatal" in the severity table below (364) 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 and fatalities saw a downward trend year-over-year. Fatal crashes decreased by 12.92%, from 418 in 2022 to 364 in 2023. Similarly, total fatalities decreased by 9.46%, from 444 in 2022 to 402 in 2023.
13
Hit-and-Run Crashes — 2023
▼ 0.0% vs prior (13)
The number of hit-and-run fatal crashes remained stable at 13 for both 2022 and 2023. However, the hit-and-run rate, as a percentage of all fatal crashes, increased from 3.1% in 2022 to 3.6% in 2023.
Vulnerable Road User Casualties
39
Pedestrians Killed
6
Cyclists Killed
357
Motorists Killed
4
Pedestrians Injured
0
Cyclists Injured
249
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, with an increase from 71 fatal crashes in 2022 to 79 in 2023. The peak hour for fatal crashes shifted from 5 PM with 31 fatal crashes in 2022 to 11 AM with 32 fatal crashes in 2023. Fatal crashes occurring in the 11 PM hour saw a decrease from 22 in 2022 to 6 in 2023.
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 decreased from 299 in 2022 to 266 in 2023. Snow-related fatal crashes saw a substantial decrease from 20 in 2022 to 4 in 2023, while rain-related fatal crashes decreased from 20 to 18. Fatal crashes in daylight decreased from 232 in 2022 to 219 in 2023, and those in dark, lighted conditions decreased from 80 to 62.
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
Chevrolet vehicles involved in fatal crashes decreased from 95 in 2022 to 87 in 2023, while Ford vehicles decreased from 79 to 75. Harley-Davidson motorcycles involved in fatal crashes decreased from 44 in 2022 to 32 in 2023. Conversely, Toyota vehicles involved in fatal crashes increased from 40 in 2022 to 50 in 2023. The 35-44 age group saw a decrease in persons involved in fatal crashes, from 166 in 2022 to 116 in 2023, while the 55-64 age group increased from 121 to 133.
Top Vehicle Makes (576 vehicles)
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Vehicle unit records
21 persons with unknown or unrecorded age excluded from age chart.
Sex Distribution (867 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 the 55 mph speed zone decreased from 137 in 2022 to 127 in 2023. Crashes in the 60 mph zone also decreased, from 90 to 71. The 30 mph speed zone experienced a decrease from 50 fatal crashes in 2022 to 33 in 2023. Conversely, fatal crashes in the 70 mph speed zone increased from 20 in 2022 to 22 in 2023.
Fatal crashes by zone: 20 mph: 5 of 5 (100%) · 25 mph: 6 of 6 (100%) · 30 mph: 33 of 33 (100%) · 35 mph: 13 of 13 (100%) · 40 mph: 19 of 19 (100%) · 45 mph: 18 of 18 (100%) · 50 mph: 10 of 10 (100%) · 55 mph: 127 of 127 (100%) · 60 mph: 71 of 71 (100%) · 65 mph: 27 of 27 (100%) · 70 mph: 22 of 22 (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', decreasing from 226 fatal crashes (54.1%) in 2022 to 190 fatal crashes (52.2%) in 2023. Angle collisions decreased from 104 in 2022 to 97 in 2023, while front-to-front collisions increased slightly from 51 to 52. Front-to-rear collisions decreased from 23 in 2022 to 20 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
The most common vehicle body type in fatal crashes was 4-door sedans, which decreased from 156 in 2022 to 111 in 2023. Compact utility vehicles also decreased from 112 to 103 fatal crashes. Two-wheel motorcycles saw a decrease from 79 fatal crashes in 2022 to 66 in 2023, while light pickups increased from 72 to 76.
Vehicle Type
Showing top 9 of 28 reported. 19 additional (82 total) not shown: Single-unit straight truck or Cab-Chassis (GVWR greater than 26,000 lbs.), Single-unit straight truck or Cab-Chassis (GVWR range 10,001 to 19,500 lbs.), 2-door sedan,hardtop,coupe, Large Van-Includes van-based buses (B150-B350, Sportsman, Royal Maxiwagon, Ram, Tradesman,...), Medium/heavy Pickup (GVWR greater than 10,000 lbs.), ATV/ATC [All-Terrain Cycle], Unknown body type, Convertible(excludes sun-roof,t-bar), 3-door/2-door hatchback, Snowmobile, Other or Unknown automobile type, Farm equipment other than trucks, Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle, School Bus, Single-unit straight truck or Cab-Chassis (GVWR range 19,501 to 26,000 lbs.), Utility station wagon (includes suburban limousines, Suburban, Travellall, Grand Wagoneer), Unknown medium/heavy truck type, Utility Vehicle, Unknown body type, Transit Bus (City Bus).
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Vehicle unit records
Rural vs Urban
Rural roadways accounted for 204 fatal crashes in 2023, a decrease from 222 in 2022, and urban roadways accounted for 159 fatal crashes, down from 194. Rural areas continued to represent a larger share of fatal crashes, accounting for 56.2% of all fatal crashes in 2023, compared to 53.4% in 2022. This indicates that rural roads continue to experience a disproportionate share of fatal crashes.
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 continued to have the highest number of fatal crashes, decreasing from 140 in 2022 to 118 in 2023. Major Collector roads saw an increase from 64 fatal crashes in 2022 to 73 in 2023. Fatal crashes on Interstates decreased from 43 in 2022 to 37 in 2023, and on Local roads from 44 to 36.
Roadway Functional Class
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Roadway Ownership
State Highway Agencies oversaw the highest number of fatal crashes, decreasing from 204 in 2022 to 166 in 2023. County Highway Agencies saw a slight increase from 147 fatal crashes in 2022 to 153 in 2023. Fatal crashes on roads owned by City or Municipal Highway Agencies decreased from 47 to 29, and by Town or Township Highway Agencies from 17 to 14.
Roadway Ownership
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Person Type
Drivers were the dominant person type involved in fatal crashes, decreasing from 644 in 2022 to 575 in 2023. Passengers involved in fatal crashes decreased from 277 to 247. Pedestrians involved in fatal crashes decreased from 45 in 2022 to 43 in 2023, while bicyclists remained stable at 6 for both periods.
Person Type
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Person Injury Severity
Fatal injuries (K) decreased from 444 in 2022 to 402 in 2023. Serious injuries (A) decreased from 99 to 76, and minor injuries (B) decreased from 126 to 94. Possible injuries (C) also saw a decrease from 86 to 77. All categories of injury severity showed a decline year-over-year.
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 number of persons using shoulder and lap belts in fatal crashes decreased from 515 in 2022 to 498 in 2023. The count of persons reported as using no safety equipment or for whom it was not applicable decreased from 246 in 2022 to 202 in 2023. Despite the decrease, the number of individuals not using safety equipment remains a substantial figure.
Occupant Safety Equipment
"Other" combines 4 smaller categories (6 records): Booster Seat (2), Child Restraint Type Unknown (2), Other (1), Shoulder Belt Only Used (1).
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 common area of impact, decreasing from 377 fatal crashes in 2022 to 327 in 2023. Fatal crashes classified as 'Non-Collision' increased from 57 in 2022 to 62 in 2023. Impacts at the '9 Clock Point' (left side) decreased from 35 to 19, and at the '6 Clock Point' (rear impact) decreased from 31 to 29.
Point of Impact
"Other" combines 16 smaller categories (75 records): 3 Clock Point (12), 11 Clock Point (12), Undercarriage (9), Left-Front Side (6), 4 Clock Point (6), Right-Front Side (6), 8 Clock Point (5), Right (4), 5 Clock Point (3), Left-Back Side (3), 7 Clock Point (2), Reported as Unknown (2), Top (2), Other Objects or Person Set-In-Motion (1), Left (1), Right-Back Side (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 decreased from 211 in 2022 to 181 in 2023. Two-vehicle fatal crashes also decreased from 183 to 156. Conversely, fatal crashes involving three vehicles increased from 18 in 2022 to 22 in 2023. The prior period included one fatal crash with 7 vehicles, while the current period's maximum was 5 vehicles.
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: Minnesota
- Total crash records analyzed: 364
- Total persons involved: 876
- Total vehicles involved: 576
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). "Minnesota 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/minnesota/fatal/statewide/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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