Marion County Leads Troop B Region In Deer-Vehicle Crashes For 2024
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By Echo Menges
October marks the beginning of deer strike season in Missouri, with the Missouri State Highway Patrol reporting that most deer-related crashes occur from October through December, peaking in November.
In 2024, Marion County recorded 58 deer-vehicle crashes, the highest total among the 16 counties in the Troop B region of northeast Missouri. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol data, four people were injured in those crashes. No fatalities were reported.
Marion County shares borders with several counties that also experienced significant deer-vehicle crash totals:
-Lewis County (north): 27 crashes, 3 injuries
-Shelby County (west): 8 crashes, no injuries
-Monroe County (south): 11 crashes, 1 injury
-Ralls County (southwest): 38 crashes, 2 injuries
Combined, these counties accounted for more than 80 additional crashes in the region.
The Troop B region, which includes 16 counties across northeast Missouri, recorded a total of 300 deer-related crashes and 40 injuries in 2024.
Deer movement tends to rise in the fall due to mating season, crop harvesting, and hunting, which push animals from wooded areas and farmland into roadways. Crashes most often occur between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., when deer are active and visibility is reduced.
Across Missouri, there were 2,951 deer-vehicle crashes in 2024, resulting in four fatalities and 420 injuries. While rural roads account for most of these crashes, 21.1% occurred in urban areas, showing the risk extends beyond the countryside.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol advises motorists not to swerve to avoid deer, as it may result in more severe collisions. Instead, drivers should brake firmly, stay in their lane, and ensure that everyone in the vehicle is wearing a seat belt.
Editor’s Note: This story is based on the data collected by MSHP only. Deer strike totals not reported to MSHP could be much higher.