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 · TACOMA, WASHINGTON · 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/washington/fatal/tacoma/2023-annual-report
Yearly Traffic Safety Analysis
36 CRASHES IN
TACOMA, WASHINGTON
2023
In 2023, Tacoma experienced 36 fatal crashes, marking a 50% increase from the 24 fatal crashes recorded in 2022. Total fatalities also saw a significant rise, climbing from 24 in 2022 to 45 in 2023, representing an 87.5% increase. The most notable year-over-year shift was the substantial increase in total fatalities.
36
▲ 50.0%was 24
Total Crash Events
45
▲ 87.5%was 24
Persons Killed
31
▲ 93.8%was 16
Persons Injured
3
▲ 50.0%was 2
Hit-and-Run Crashes
Note: "Persons Killed" (45) counts individual fatalities across all crash events. "Fatal" in the severity table below (36) 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 Tacoma showed a clear upward trend year-over-year, increasing by 50% from 24 fatal crashes in 2022 to 36 in 2023. This rise was accompanied by an 87.5% increase in total fatalities, from 24 in 2022 to 45 in 2023, indicating a worsening safety trend.
3
Hit-and-Run Crashes — 2023
▲ 50.0% vs prior (2)
The number of fatal hit-and-run crashes increased from 2 in 2022 to 3 in 2023. Despite this increase in count, the hit-and-run rate remained stable at 8.3% for both years.
Vulnerable Road User Casualties
7
Pedestrians Killed
1
Cyclists Killed
37
Motorists Killed
0
Pedestrians Injured
0
Cyclists Injured
31
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 shifted from Wednesday with 5 incidents in 2022 to Sunday with 11 incidents in 2023. The peak hour also changed, moving from 11 PM with 3 fatal crashes in 2022 to 12 PM with 4 fatal crashes in 2023, indicating a shift in when fatal crashes are most frequent.
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 decreased proportionally, from 70.8% (17 of 24) in 2022 to 58.3% (21 of 36) in 2023, while those in rainy conditions increased from 8.3% (2 of 24) to 13.9% (5 of 36). Crashes in daylight conditions remained relatively stable, accounting for 41.7% (10 of 24) in 2022 and 44.4% (16 of 36) in 2023. The proportion of fatal crashes occurring at dusk significantly decreased from 12.5% (3 of 24) in 2022 to 5.6% (2 of 36) in 2023.
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
Top Vehicle Makes (58 vehicles)
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Vehicle unit records
4 persons with unknown or unrecorded age excluded from age chart.
Sex Distribution (91 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 at 30 mph decreased from 8 in 2022 to 7 in 2023, while those at 35 mph increased from 13 to 15. There was a notable increase in fatal crashes at 40 mph, rising from 1 in 2022 to 4 in 2023. Additionally, fatal crashes at 60 mph doubled from 1 in 2022 to 2 in 2023, and new fatal crashes were recorded at 25 mph (2) and 50 mph (2) in 2023.
Fatal crashes by zone: 25 mph: 2 of 2 (100%) · 30 mph: 7 of 7 (100%) · 35 mph: 15 of 15 (100%) · 40 mph: 4 of 4 (100%) · 50 mph: 2 of 2 (100%) · 60 mph: 2 of 2 (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', increasing from 10 incidents in 2022 to 17 in 2023. Angle collisions also rose from 8 in 2022 to 10 in 2023. Front-to-Front collisions doubled from 2 in 2022 to 4 in 2023, while Front-to-Rear collisions remained stable at 3 in both years.
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 involved in fatal crashes in both periods was '4-door sedan, hardtop', which increased from 11 in 2022 to 16 in 2023. 'Light Pickup' involvement also significantly increased from 5 in 2022 to 11 in 2023. 'Two Wheel Motorcycle' involvement saw a slight increase from 8 in 2022 to 9 in 2023, while large trucks (combining 'Truck-tractor' and 'Single-unit straight truck or Cab-Chassis') decreased from 4 in 2022 to 1 in 2023.
Vehicle Type
Showing top 9 of 13 reported. 4 additional (4 total) not shown: Unknown light vehicle type (automobile,utility vehicle, van, or light truck), Convertible(excludes sun-roof,t-bar), Large Van-Includes van-based buses (B150-B350, Sportsman, Royal Maxiwagon, Ram, Tradesman,...), Single-unit straight truck or Cab-Chassis (GVWR greater than 26,000 lbs.).
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Vehicle unit records
Roadway Functional Class
The 'Other Principal Arterial' functional class continued to carry the most fatal crashes, increasing from 13 in 2022 to 19 in 2023. Fatal crashes on 'Minor Arterial' roads remained stable at 8 in both years. Interstate fatal crashes saw a substantial increase, rising from 1 in 2022 to 6 in 2023.
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 Agency' increased from 15 in 2022 to 19 in 2023. Similarly, fatal crashes on 'State Highway Agency' roadways significantly increased from 9 in 2022 to 17 in 2023. Both ownership types saw an increase in fatal crash counts.
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 increased from 47 in 2022 to 58 in 2023, while passengers increased from 10 to 32. Pedestrian involvement also rose from 4 to 7, and bicyclists, which had no involvement in 2022, were involved in 1 fatal crash in 2023. Drivers and passengers remain the dominant person types involved in fatal crashes.
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 24 in 2022 to 45 in 2023. Serious injuries ('A') remained stable at 8 persons in both periods, while minor injuries ('B') increased from 3 to 7. The count of persons with no reported injury ('O') remained constant at 22 in both years.
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 recorded using 'Shoulder and Lap Belt Used' in fatal crashes increased from 32 in 2022 to 46 in 2023. Concurrently, the number of persons recorded with 'None Used/Not Applicable' also increased from 13 in 2022 to 19 in 2023. The use of 'Lap Belt Only Used' remained stable at 1 person in both periods.
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) remained the dominant impact area, increasing from 23 incidents in 2022 to 34 in 2023. Impacts at the '6 Clock Point' (rear) decreased from 9 to 4, and impacts to the 'Right' side decreased from 4 to 2. 'Right-Front Side' impacts saw a significant increase from 1 in 2022 to 6 in 2023.
Point of Impact
"Other" combines 5 smaller categories (5 records): Reported as Unknown (1), Right-Back Side (1), 3 Clock Point (1), 9 Clock Point (1), Left (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 from 8 in 2022 to 17 in 2023, and two-vehicle fatal crashes increased from 12 to 16. Fatal crashes involving 3 vehicles decreased from 2 to 1, while those with 4 vehicles increased from 1 to 2. The majority of fatal crashes continue to involve one or two 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: Tacoma, Washington
- Total crash records analyzed: 36
- Total persons involved: 98
- 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). "Tacoma, Washington 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/washington/fatal/tacoma/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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