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 · KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI · 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/missouri/fatal/kansas-city/2023-annual-report
Yearly Traffic Safety Analysis
86 CRASHES IN
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
2023
In 2023, Kansas City experienced 86 fatal crashes, an increase from 83 fatal crashes in 2022. This represents a 3.61% rise in fatal crash events year-over-year. The number of fatalities also increased by 12.64%, from 87 in 2022 to 98 in 2023. A notable shift was a 93.75% increase in DUI-related fatal crashes, rising from 16 in 2022 to 31 in 2023.
86
▲ 3.6%was 83
Total Crash Events
98
▲ 12.6%was 87
Persons Killed
69
▲ 11.3%was 62
Persons Injured
17
▲ 6.3%was 16
Hit-and-Run Crashes
Note: "Persons Killed" (98) counts individual fatalities across all crash events. "Fatal" in the severity table below (86) 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
Fatal crashes in Kansas City show an upward trend, with an increase of 3 fatal crashes from 83 in 2022 to 86 in 2023. This 3.61% rise in fatal crash events was accompanied by a 12.64% increase in total fatalities, climbing from 87 to 98. The number of persons injured in these fatal crashes also increased by 11.29%, from 62 in 2022 to 69 in 2023.
17
Hit-and-Run Crashes — 2023
▲ 6.3% vs prior (16)
Hit-and-run fatal crashes increased from 16 in 2022 to 17 in 2023. The hit-and-run rate in fatal crashes also saw a slight increase, rising from 19.3% in 2022 to 19.8% in 2023.
Vulnerable Road User Casualties
15
Pedestrians Killed
3
Cyclists Killed
79
Motorists Killed
1
Other Killed
0
Pedestrians Injured
0
Cyclists Injured
69
Motorists Injured
0
Other 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 shifted from Friday in 2022 (18 crashes) to Saturday in 2023 (18 crashes). Fatal crashes on Saturdays increased significantly from 10 in 2022 to 18 in 2023, while Fridays saw a decrease from 18 to 11 fatal crashes. The peak hour for fatal crashes shifted from 9 p.m. in 2022 (9 crashes) to 11 p.m. in 2023 (8 crashes), with crashes at 3 a.m. decreasing from 8 to 2.
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 slightly from 57 in 2022 to 59 in 2023, while those in cloudy conditions rose from 13 to 21. Fatal crashes during daylight hours increased from 31 in 2022 to 36 in 2023, while crashes in dark-lighted conditions decreased from 43 to 39. Crashes in dark-not lighted conditions increased from 8 to 10.
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
The total number of vehicles involved in fatal crashes increased from 135 in 2022 to 145 in 2023. Among top vehicle makes, Honda vehicles involved in fatal crashes doubled from 8 in 2022 to 16 in 2023, and Chevrolet vehicles increased from 14 to 17. Conversely, Ford vehicles involved in fatal crashes decreased from 19 to 13, and Toyota vehicles decreased from 11 to 8.
Top Vehicle Makes (145 vehicles)
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Vehicle unit records
11 persons with unknown or unrecorded age excluded from age chart.
Sex Distribution (212 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
In both 2022 and 2023, the 35 mph speed limit zone recorded the highest number of fatal crashes, though it decreased from 36 to 31. There was a notable increase in fatal crashes in higher speed zones, with the 45 mph zone increasing from 8 to 15 crashes, the 55 mph zone from 10 to 13 crashes, and the 65 mph zone from 11 to 13 crashes.
Fatal crashes by zone: 25 mph: 5 of 5 (100%) · 30 mph: 2 of 2 (100%) · 35 mph: 31 of 31 (100%) · 40 mph: 6 of 6 (100%) · 45 mph: 15 of 15 (100%) · 50 mph: 1 of 1 (100%) · 55 mph: 13 of 13 (100%) · 65 mph: 13 of 13 (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
In both periods, the dominant manner of collision was 'The First Harmful Event was Not a Collision with a Motor Vehicle in Transport,' though its count decreased from 52 in 2022 to 47 in 2023. 'Angle' collisions increased from 16 in 2022 to 21 in 2023, and 'Front-to-Rear' collisions doubled from 4 to 8. 'Front-to-Front' collisions decreased slightly from 7 to 6.
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 frequent vehicle body type involved in fatal crashes in both periods was '4-door sedan, hardtop,' which increased from 34 in 2022 to 50 in 2023. 'Two Wheel Motorcycle' involvement increased from 11 in 2022 to 16 in 2023. Conversely, 'Compact Utility' vehicles decreased from 21 to 18, and 'Light Pickup' vehicles decreased from 18 to 16.
Vehicle Type
Showing top 9 of 18 reported. 9 additional (16 total) not shown: 5-door/4-door hatchback, Convertible(excludes sun-roof,t-bar), 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.), Unknown body type, Unknown light vehicle type (automobile,utility vehicle, van, or light truck), Motor Scooter, Off-road Motorcycle, Sedan/Hardtop, number of doors unknown.
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Vehicle unit records
Roadway Functional Class
In both years, 'Minor Arterial' roadways recorded the highest number of fatal crashes, decreasing slightly from 33 in 2022 to 31 in 2023. Fatal crashes on 'Interstate' roadways decreased from 20 to 17. 'Major Collector' roadways saw a slight increase from 7 to 8 fatal crashes.
Roadway Functional Class
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Roadway Ownership
Roadways owned by 'City or Municipal Highway Agency' accounted for the most fatal crashes in both periods, though the count decreased from 55 in 2022 to 51 in 2023. Fatal crashes on roadways owned by 'State Highway Agency' increased from 27 in 2022 to 35 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
Drivers continued to be the most frequent person type involved in fatal crashes, increasing from 133 in 2022 to 144 in 2023. Passengers also saw an increase from 48 to 59. Pedestrians involved in fatal crashes decreased from 19 in 2022 to 15 in 2023, while bicyclists increased from 2 to 3.
Person Type
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Person Injury Severity
The number of persons sustaining fatal injuries (K) increased from 87 in 2022 to 98 in 2023. Serious injuries (A) also rose from 9 to 14, and minor injuries (B) increased from 24 to 26. The number of persons with no reported injury (O) remained stable at 55 in both periods.
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 reported using 'Shoulder and Lap Belt Used' in fatal crashes increased from 79 in 2022 to 90 in 2023. Concurrently, the count of persons for whom 'None Used/Not Applicable' was reported also increased from 61 to 72. The number of 'Reported as Unknown' cases decreased from 41 to 32.
Occupant Safety Equipment
"Other" combines 1 smaller categories (1 records): Restraint Used - Type Unknown (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) was the most common point of impact in both periods, increasing slightly from 76 in 2022 to 78 in 2023. '6 Clock Point' (rear impact) also saw a slight increase from 9 to 10. The count of 'Non-Collision' events decreased from 10 in 2022 to 7 in 2023.
Point of Impact
"Other" combines 12 smaller categories (24 records): Undercarriage (4), Right-Front Side (3), Reported as Unknown (2), Left-Back Side (2), 5 Clock Point (2), 7 Clock Point (2), 8 Clock Point (2), 4 Clock Point (2), Right-Back Side (2), 2 Clock Point (1), Cargo/Vehicle Parts Set-In-Motion (1), Right (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 increased slightly from 41 in 2022 to 42 in 2023. Two-vehicle fatal crashes also increased from 31 to 35. Conversely, three-vehicle fatal crashes decreased from 8 to 5.
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: Kansas City, Missouri
- Total crash records analyzed: 86
- Total persons involved: 222
- Total vehicles involved: 145
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). "Kansas City, Missouri 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/missouri/fatal/kansas-city/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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