In 2025, factors such as unsafe speed, failure to drive in a single lane, and intoxication contributed to 148 fatal crashes and 165 total fatalities in the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Tyler District, which includes Wood County, among others.

The 165 fatalities are three more than the 2024 total (162), but are the second lowest total since 2019 (148).

“Although we saw a slight increase in fatalities in 2025, we remained well below our five-year average and continue to see positive trends in several areas,” said Vernon Webb, Tyler District Engineer.

The top five combined contributing factors of fatal crashes in 2025 were the following, according to the report:

Driving at an unsafe speed - 27

Failure to drive in a single lane – 24

Wrong side, not passing – 18

Intoxicated (alcohol) - 17

Intoxicated (drugs) - 15

The data in these reports represents the number of crashes that had at least one driver reported as having the indicated contributing factor; however, crashes can have none, or multiple, contributing factors. Therefore, the total number of crashes for these reports will not equal the total number of crashes in the Tyler District. 

Webb said that pedestrian fatalities “remain a significant concern.” However, he said that TxDOT has hopes for lowering crash-related fatalities going forward.

“We must continue to hold ourselves accountable and practice safe driving habits,” he said. “We will remain focused on our public outreach events and educational campaigns. In addition, we will maintain strong communication with our law enforcement partners to ensure that areas of concern are identified and addressed quickly. We will not rest until we achieve our mission of zero fatalities on Texas roadways.”

Below are the 2025 crash statistics as released by the Tyler District:

Rural traffic crashes accounted for 79 percent of the district’s traffic fatalities. 131 people died in rural traffic crashes, a five percent increase from 2024. 

There were 39 alcohol-related fatalities. This is the same number as 2024.

Single-vehicle, run-off-the-road crashes resulted in 47 deaths, accounting for 29 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities in the district. 

There were 43 deaths involving unrestrained vehicle passengers, a 19 percent decrease from 2024 (53). This figure represents crashes where restraint usage was applicable, and usage was known. 

Five distracted driving deaths occurred, a 62 percent decrease from the previous year (13).

There were 18 pedestrian fatalities.

There were four pedal-cyclist fatalities, three more than in 2024.

37 people died in crashes occurring at intersections or related to intersections, a 12 percent decrease from 2024 (42).

August and December each recorded 21 fatalities, tied for the most of any month in 2025.