Denton County Car and Truck Wrecks Through September 2026: Traffic Deaths Increase 61%

Denton County recorded 10,075 reported crashes, 3,999 injured people, and 50 traffic deaths from January 1 through September 30, 2026, according to our analysis of Texas Department of Transportation CRIS records.

Compared with the same nine months in 2025, the number of crashes increased just 0.5%, but traffic deaths increased from 31 to 50—an increase of approximately 61.3%.

The third quarter also brought the highest 2026 quarterly totals for crashes, injured people, and suspected serious injuries.

This report follows our earlier analysis of Denton County car wrecks during the first half of 2026. The updated nine-month data shows that traffic deaths remained substantially above the prior year, while third-quarter injuries increased compared with both earlier quarters.

Behind these figures are people facing medical treatment, lost income, lasting limitations, and the loss of loved ones. The Wooley Law Firm represents people injured in car and truck wrecks throughout Denton County and North Texas.

Denton County Crash Statistics: January–September 2026 Compared With 2025

The Denton County-filtered records show the following changes between January 1 and September 30 of each year:

• Reported crashes: Increased from 10,029 in 2025 to 10,075 in 2026—46 additional crashes, approximately 0.5%.

• People injured: Increased from 3,918 to 3,999—81 additional injured people, approximately 2.1%.

• Suspected serious injuries: Increased from 223 to 235—12 additional suspected serious injuries, approximately 5.4%.

• Traffic deaths: Increased from 31 to 50—19 additional deaths, approximately 61.3%.

• Fatal crashes: Increased from 31 to 49—18 additional fatal crashes, approximately 58.1%.

Suspected serious injuries are included within the overall injury total. They should not be added to that total again.

Deaths and fatal crashes measure different things. One collision can kill more than one person. In the supplied 2026 records, 49 fatal crashes resulted in 50 deaths.

During the first 273 days of 2026, Denton County averaged approximately 37 reported crashes and 15 injured people per day.

Traffic Deaths Remained Above 2025 in Every Quarter

The updated records show more traffic deaths in each of the first three quarters of 2026 than in the corresponding quarter of 2025:

• First quarter: 20 deaths in 2026, compared with six in 2025.

• Second quarter: 15 deaths in 2026, compared with 13 in 2025.

• Third quarter: 15 deaths in 2026, compared with 12 in 2025.

The largest numerical increase occurred during January through March, when Denton County recorded 14 additional deaths.

Third-quarter deaths were lower than the first quarter and unchanged from the second quarter. However, they remained above third-quarter 2025.

The data does not establish why these deaths increased. Determining the circumstances of an individual fatal wreck requires reviewing the collision evidence and investigation.

For families, even one death represents an irreplaceable loss. Percentage changes should always be considered alongside the actual number of people killed.

Third-Quarter 2026 Compared With the First and Second Quarters

First Quarter: January–March 2026

Denton County recorded:

• 3,164 crashes

• 1,173 injured people

• 69 suspected serious injuries

• 20 deaths in 19 fatal crashes

The first quarter had the fewest crashes and injured people, but the most deaths.

Second Quarter: April–June 2026

Denton County recorded:

• 3,381 crashes

• 1,306 injured people

• 72 suspected serious injuries

• 15 deaths in 15 fatal crashes

Crashes and injuries increased from the first quarter, while deaths declined.

Third Quarter: July–September 2026

Denton County recorded:

• 3,530 crashes

• 1,520 injured people

• 94 suspected serious injuries

• 15 deaths in 15 fatal crashes

The third quarter had the highest crash, injury, and suspected serious injury totals of the first nine months.

Third Quarter Versus Second Quarter: Injuries Increased 16.4%

Compared with April–June, July–September recorded:

• 149 more crashes, an increase of approximately 4.4%.

• 214 more injured people, an increase of approximately 16.4%.

• 22 more suspected serious injuries, an increase of approximately 30.6%.

• The same number of deaths: 15.

Injuries increased faster than crashes. The suspected serious injury total also rose substantially, from 72 to 94.

Third Quarter Versus First Quarter: Injuries Increased 29.6%

Compared with January–March, the third quarter recorded:

• 366 more crashes, an increase of approximately 11.6%.

• 347 more injured people, an increase of approximately 29.6%.

• 25 more suspected serious injuries, an increase of approximately 36.2%.

• Five fewer deaths, a decrease of 25%.

These comparisons use quarterly totals. The first quarter contained 90 days, the second contained 91, and the third contained 92. They are not adjusted for traffic volume or miles traveled.

Third-Quarter 2026 Compared With Third-Quarter 2025

Comparing July through September in both years shows increases across all four main measures:

• Crashes: Increased from 3,448 to 3,530, approximately 2.4%.

• People injured: Increased from 1,390 to 1,520, approximately 9.4%.

• Suspected serious injuries: Increased from 76 to 94, approximately 23.7%.

• Deaths: Increased from 12 to 15—three additional deaths.

The third-quarter results help explain why Denton County’s nine-month crash total moved slightly above 2025.

They also show that the increase in injuries was not limited to a comparison with the beginning of 2026. Third-quarter injuries exceeded the same season in 2025.

Denton Had the Most Reported Crashes in Denton County

The City of Denton recorded 2,320 crashes within the Denton County-filtered dataset during January–September 2026, compared with 2,119 during the same period in 2025.

That represents 201 additional crashes, an increase of approximately 9.5%.

Denton accounted for approximately 23% of the county’s reported crashes.

Lewisville ranked second with 1,909 crashes, down from 2,062 in 2025—a decrease of approximately 7.4%.

Together, Denton and Lewisville accounted for approximately 42% of the county’s reported crashes.

The ten cities with the most crashes in the 2026 Denton County records were:

1. Denton: 2,320 crashes.

2. Lewisville: 1,909 crashes.

3. Carrollton: 591 crashes.

4. Flower Mound: 568 crashes.

5. The Colony: 545 crashes.

6. Frisco: 507 crashes.

7. Little Elm: 427 crashes.

8. Corinth: 379 crashes.

9. Northlake: 291 crashes.

10. Fort Worth: 238 crashes.

An additional 616 crashes were recorded outside city limits.

For cities extending across county lines, these figures cover only the crashes returned by the Denton County query. They do not necessarily represent the entire city.

Northlake, Sanger, and Flower Mound Recorded More Wrecks

Several communities recorded increases even as others experienced declines.

• Northlake: Increased from 225 to 291 crashes—66 additional crashes, approximately 29.3%.

• Sanger: Increased from 155 to 208—53 additional crashes, approximately 34.2%.

• Flower Mound: Increased from 538 to 568—30 additional crashes, approximately 5.6%.

• Fort Worth’s Denton County portion: Increased from 155 to 238—83 additional crashes, approximately 53.5%.

Other communities recorded fewer crashes:

• Carrollton: Declined approximately 7.1%.

• The Colony: Declined approximately 4.2%.

• Little Elm: Declined approximately 12.9%.

• Frisco: Declined approximately 1.6%.

These raw totals do not establish why a city’s crashes changed. Traffic volume, development, roadway mileage, construction, and reporting practices may affect the figures. Smaller starting totals can also produce large percentage changes.

I-35E Had the Most Crashes Among the Recorded Denton County Roadway Labels

I-35E had the highest individual roadway-label count in the supplied records, with 1,503 crashes during January–September 2026.

That compares with 1,629 during the same period in 2025, a decrease of approximately 7.7%.

Leading roadway and route labels included:

1. I-35E: 1,503 crashes.

2. US-380: 415 crashes.

3. SH-121: 398 crashes.

4. I-35: 367 crashes.

5. US-377: 319 crashes.

6. I-35W: 282 crashes.

7. FM-423: 266 crashes.

8. SH-114: 225 crashes.

9. Business SH-121H: 219 crashes.

10. FM-407: 212 crashes.

I-35, I-35E, and I-35W are reported separately in these records.

Several labels recorded increases:

• I-35: Increased from 346 to 367 crashes, approximately 6.1%.

• I-35W: Increased from 247 to 282, approximately 14.2%.

• Loop 288: Increased from 134 to 164, approximately 22.4%.

• FM-156: Increased from 100 to 121, 21%.

Other labels declined, including US-380, SH-121, US-377, and FM-423.

These figures preserve recorded roadway labels. Alternate names, frontage roads, tollway segments, and business routes may appear separately. They should not automatically be treated as complete corridor totals.

Raw counts also do not establish which roadway presents the greatest risk per mile traveled. That comparison would require traffic-volume and roadway-length information.

Denton County Commercial Vehicle Crashes Increased 5.7%

Denton County recorded 814 crashes involving commercial motor vehicles during January–September 2026, compared with 770 during the same period in 2025.

That represents 44 additional CMV crashes, an increase of approximately 5.7%.

However, injuries and deaths in those crashes declined:

• People injured: Decreased from 239 to 226, approximately 5.4%.

• Suspected serious injuries: Decreased from 25 to 17, 32%.

• Deaths: Decreased from four to three.

Commercial vehicle involvement does not establish that the commercial driver caused the wreck. The CMV category is also broader than 18-wheelers.

Commercial Vehicle Crashes Increased During Each Quarter of 2026

The quarterly CMV totals were:

• First quarter: 259 crashes.

• Second quarter: 269 crashes.

• Third quarter: 286 crashes.

Third-quarter CMV crashes increased approximately 6.3% from the second quarter.

Despite that increase, people injured in those crashes declined from 91 to 67. Suspected serious injuries remained at five, while deaths declined from two to one.

Our Denton truck accident lawyer page explains issues that can arise after a collision involving a tractor-trailer or other commercial vehicle.

Evidence to Preserve After a Denton County Car or Truck Wreck

Countywide statistics provide context. An individual injury claim depends on evidence showing how the collision happened, which parties may be responsible, and what losses resulted.

Depending on the circumstances, useful evidence may include:

• Police crash reports and supplemental reports.

• Dash-camera footage and nearby surveillance recordings.

• Witness names and contact information.

• Photographs of vehicles, damage, lane markings, and debris.

• Available vehicle electronic data.

• Medical records, bills, and treatment recommendations.

• Documentation of missed work and other losses.

Our guide explains how to obtain a Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report after a Dallas–Fort Worth collision.

Commercial vehicle investigations may also involve driver logs, dispatch communications, inspection reports, maintenance records, onboard video, and company records.

Vehicles may be repaired and recordings may be overwritten. Early preservation can help protect information needed to resolve disputed accounts of a wreck.

Getting Help After a Serious Denton County Collision

An injured person may be dealing with treatment, missed work, transportation problems, and insurance requests at the same time.

The Wooley Law Firm can investigate the collision, identify potentially responsible parties and available coverage, review medical documentation, and help present the losses supported by the evidence.

Our Dallas car accident lawyer resource explains common issues affecting North Texas injury claims. We also discuss insurance company calls after a car or truck wreck, including requests for statements and documents.

Every claim depends on its facts. Countywide statistics cannot establish fault or determine what an individual case is worth.

Frequently Asked Questions About Denton County Wrecks in 2026

How many crashes occurred in Denton County through September 2026?

The supplied CRIS records show 10,075 reported crashes from January 1 through September 30, 2026, compared with 10,029 during the same period in 2025.

How many people died in Denton County crashes?

The records show 50 deaths in 49 fatal crashes, compared with 31 deaths in 31 fatal crashes during January–September 2025.

Did traffic deaths continue to exceed 2025 during the third quarter?

Yes. Third-quarter 2026 recorded 15 deaths, compared with 12 during third-quarter 2025.

Which quarter had the most crashes and injuries?

The third quarter had the highest totals, with 3,530 crashes, 1,520 injured people, and 94 suspected serious injuries.

Which city had the most crashes?

Denton had the most crashes within the county-filtered dataset, with 2,320, followed by Lewisville with 1,909.

Did commercial vehicle crashes increase?

Yes. CMV-involved crashes increased from 770 to 814, approximately 5.7%, while injuries and deaths in those crashes declined.

Injured in a Denton County Car or Truck Wreck?

The Wooley Law Firm represents people injured in car, 18-wheeler, and other commercial vehicle collisions throughout Denton County, including Denton, Lewisville, Carrollton, Flower Mound, The Colony, Frisco, Little Elm, Corinth, Northlake, and Sanger.

If you need help understanding an injury claim after a serious collision, our firm can review the facts and explain your options.

Call (214) 699-6524 for a free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win. You can also contact The Wooley Law Firm online.

Data Sources and Methodology

This analysis uses two TxDOT Crash Records Information System query exports filtered to Denton County and the periods January 1–September 30, 2025, and January 1–September 30, 2026. TxDOT makes public crash data available through CRIS Query.

The 2026 export reflects records processed through October 15, 2026. The 2025 export reflects records processed through October 16, 2026. Quarterly results were calculated using each record’s crash date. CMV figures include records marked “Yes” in the Commercial Motor Vehicle Flag field.

The updated 2026 file contains 6,545 first-half crashes, compared with 6,534 in our earlier article. This follow-up uses the updated file consistently for all 2026 comparisons. CRIS totals can change as reports and supplemental information are processed.

Injury and death figures count people. Fatal crashes count collisions with at least one recorded death. Suspected serious injuries are included within total injuries and reflect the recorded classification.

City figures are county-filtered. Roadway figures use recorded labels without automatically combining alternate names or related routes. Totals are not adjusted for population, traffic volume, roadway length, or miles traveled.

The data does not independently explain why totals changed or establish fault in any collision. The analysis and conclusions are those of The Wooley Law Firm, not TxDOT.

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.