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 · NORTH CAROLINA · 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.
Monthly Traffic Safety Analysis
125 CRASHES IN
NORTH CAROLINA
SEPTEMBER 2023
Fatal crashes in September 2023 decreased to 125, down from 137 in September 2022, representing an 8.76% reduction. A notable shift was the 50% increase in hit-and-run fatal crashes, rising from 6 to 9 year-over-year.
125
▼ -8.8%was 137
Total Crash Events
137
▼ -6.8%was 147
Persons Killed
99
▼ -6.6%was 106
Persons Injured
9
▲ 50.0%was 6
Hit-and-Run Crashes
Note: "Persons Killed" (137) counts individual fatalities across all crash events. "Fatal" in the severity table below (125) 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
Fatal crashes in September 2023 showed a downward trend compared to September 2022, decreasing by 12 fatal crashes or 8.76%. Total fatalities also decreased by 10, from 147 to 137, marking a 6.8% reduction year-over-year.
9
Hit-and-Run Crashes — September 2023
▲ 50.0% vs prior (6)
Hit-and-run fatal crashes increased by 50% year-over-year, rising from 6 in September 2022 to 9 in September 2023. The hit-and-run rate also increased from 4.4% to 7.2% of all fatal crashes.
Vulnerable Road User Casualties
16
Pedestrians Killed
6
Cyclists Killed
115
Motorists Killed
0
Pedestrians Injured
0
Cyclists Injured
99
Motorists 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 from Thursday in September 2022, with 30 fatal crashes, to Saturday in September 2023, with 25 fatal crashes. The peak hour for fatal crashes also shifted, moving from 1 PM (12 fatal crashes) in the prior period to 8 PM (14 fatal crashes) in the current period.
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
In September 2023, clear weather conditions were associated with 109 fatal crashes, a decrease from 115 in September 2022, while crashes in rainy conditions decreased from 12 to 4. Fatal crashes occurring in daylight decreased from 65 to 44, while those in dark, unlighted conditions saw a slight increase from 53 to 55.
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 decreased from 224 in September 2022 to 196 in September 2023. While Ford remained the top vehicle make, its involvement decreased from 30 to 28, and Chevrolet's involvement decreased from 26 to 20. Regarding persons involved, there was a notable decrease in persons aged 65 and older, from 57 to 32, and an increase in the 45-54 age group, from 37 to 46.
Top Vehicle Makes (196 vehicles)
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-09-01 to 2023-09-30 · Vehicle unit records
15 persons with unknown or unrecorded age excluded from age chart.
Sex Distribution (301 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 at 45 mph speed limits decreased from 49 in September 2022 to 38 in September 2023, and those at 35 mph decreased from 21 to 12. Conversely, fatal crashes at 55 mph speed limits increased from 44 to 51, indicating a shift in crash distribution towards higher speed zones.
Fatal crashes by zone: 25 mph: 3 of 3 (100%) · 35 mph: 12 of 12 (100%) · 40 mph: 2 of 2 (100%) · 45 mph: 38 of 38 (100%) · 50 mph: 4 of 4 (100%) · 55 mph: 51 of 51 (100%) · 60 mph: 8 of 8 (100%) · 65 mph: 3 of 3 (100%) · 70 mph: 4 of 4 (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 dominant manner of collision remained 'The First Harmful Event was Not a Collision with a Motor Vehicle in Transport,' though its count decreased from 73 in September 2022 to 64 in September 2023. Angle collisions also decreased from 35 to 31. Conversely, Front-to-Rear collisions increased from 7 to 10.
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 leading vehicle body type in fatal crashes remained '4-door sedan, hardtop,' increasing slightly from 53 in September 2022 to 56 in September 2023. Fatal crashes involving 'Two Wheel Motorcycles' decreased from 35 to 29, and 'Light Pickup' vehicles decreased from 38 to 29. Large trucks, specifically 'Truck-tractor,' saw a decrease from 10 to 4 involved in fatal crashes.
Vehicle Type
Showing top 9 of 27 reported. 18 additional (26 total) not shown: Single-unit straight truck or Cab-Chassis (GVWR range 10,001 to 19,500 lbs.), Unknown body type, 3-door/2-door hatchback, Transit Bus (City Bus), Large Van-Includes van-based buses (B150-B350, Sportsman, Royal Maxiwagon, Ram, Tradesman,...), Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle, Utility station wagon (includes suburban limousines, Suburban, Travellall, Grand Wagoneer), 5-door/4-door hatchback, ATV/ATC [All-Terrain Cycle], Cab Chassis Based (includes Rescue Vehicle, Light Stake, Dump, and Tow Truck), Convertible(excludes sun-roof,t-bar), Farm equipment other than trucks, Motor Scooter, Off-road Motorcycle, Other vehicle type (includes go-cart, fork-lift, city street sweeper dunes/swamp buggy), Single-unit straight truck or Cab-Chassis (GVWR range 19,501 to 26,000 lbs.), Unknown light vehicle type (automobile,utility vehicle, van, or light truck), Unknown medium/heavy truck type.
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-09-01 to 2023-09-30 · Vehicle unit records
Rural vs Urban
Rural areas continue to account for a larger share of fatal crashes, with 78 occurring in rural settings compared to 47 in urban settings in September 2023. While rural fatal crashes decreased from 83 to 78, and urban fatal crashes decreased from 54 to 47, the proportion of fatal crashes in rural areas remained elevated at 62.4% compared to 60.6% in the prior period.
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
Fatal crashes on 'Local' roads decreased from 35 in September 2022 to 30 in September 2023, while those on 'Minor Arterial' roads decreased from 33 to 24. Fatal crashes on 'Other Principal Arterial' roads increased from 26 to 29. Interstate fatal crashes decreased from 11 to 9.
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 be the primary owner of roadways where fatal crashes occurred, with 121 fatal crashes in September 2023, a decrease from 127 in September 2022. Fatal crashes on roadways owned by City or Municipal Highway Agencies decreased from 7 to 4.
Roadway Ownership
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-09-01 to 2023-09-30 · Crash-level records
Person Type
The number of drivers involved in fatal crashes decreased from 223 in September 2022 to 196 in September 2023, and passengers decreased from 94 to 86. Conversely, pedestrians involved in fatal crashes increased from 14 to 16, and bicyclists saw a significant increase from 2 to 6.
Person Type
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-09-01 to 2023-09-30 · Crash-level records
Person Injury Severity
Total fatalities (K) decreased from 147 in September 2022 to 137 in September 2023. The number of persons sustaining serious injuries (A) remained stable at 26. Minor injuries (B) and possible injuries (C) both decreased from 38 to 34.
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 number of persons recorded using shoulder and lap belts decreased from 188 in September 2022 to 143 in September 2023. Concurrently, the number of persons for whom no safety equipment was used or applicable increased from 108 to 115.
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 most common point of impact, the '12 Clock Point' (front), decreased from 139 instances in September 2022 to 131 in September 2023. Impacts to the 'Left' side decreased significantly from 26 to 6, and 'Right' side impacts decreased from 18 to 7. Conversely, '6 Clock Point' (rear) impacts increased from 7 to 11.
Point of Impact
"Other" combines 11 smaller categories (24 records): Non-Collision (5), Right-Front Side (4), 7 Clock Point (3), 3 Clock Point (3), 8 Clock Point (2), Right-Back Side (2), 10 Clock Point (1), Other Objects or Person Set-In-Motion (1), 4 Clock Point (1), 2 Clock Point (1), Left-Back Side (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 decreased from 66 in September 2022 to 60 in September 2023. Two-vehicle fatal crashes increased from 53 to 57. Fatal crashes involving three vehicles saw a notable decrease from 17 to 7.
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: North Carolina
- Total crash records analyzed: 125
- Total persons involved: 304
- Total vehicles involved: 196
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). "North Carolina 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/north-carolina/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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