Traffic Accidents in Renton: 2025 Overview
Renton, a key part of the Seattle metropolitan area, reported 1,406 crashes in 2025. While most did not result in injuries, 500+ crashes involved some level of harm, and four were fatal. Renton’s busy roads and intersections, particularly Rainier Ave N and Logan Ave S, have proven to be high-risk zones for drivers and pedestrians alike.
Fatal Accidents: High-Risk Locations
In Washington, three out of four fatal crashes stem from four main causes: impairment, speeding, distraction, and failure to wear seatbelts. Notably, distracted driving contributed to around 23% of traffic deaths in 2022.
Tragically, four fatal crashes were recorded this year, occurring at:
- SE Carr Road, in front of North Benson Center – Saturday night (2 vehicles involved)
- State Route 167, near SW 19th – Tuesday, around 2 a.m.
- SW Sunset Boulevard, near Black River Forest – Saturday night (2 vehicles involved)
- NE Sunset Boulevard and Jefferson Ave NE – Friday, midday (3 vehicles involved)
Several intersections continue to see high crash frequencies, particularly along Renton’s busiest commuter routes:
- Rainier Ave N, across from the Renton Municipal Airport
- Rainier Ave N & Airport Way
- I-405 and State Route 167 interchange
- SW Grady Way with State Route 167
- I-405 & SE Maple Valley Highway
These patterns highlight how Renton’s major corridors — especially near I-405 and SR-167 — remain focal points for collisions. Intersections that consistently see high numbers of crashes can become a major concern for the community. Now, demands for solutions are growing for a crossing that has long been the site of numerous injuries and fatalities.
The entire area around the curve of Rainier Ave S and SW Sunset Boulevard is a hotspot for accidents, with multiple crashes occurring in both directions from the intersection.
Maple Valley Highway has seen 20+ accidents in a concentrated area.
The intersection of NE Sunset Boulevard and Duvall Ave NE is another hazardous spot due to the road’s bifurcation.
SE Carr Road is a major accident-prone area, with crashes occurring from Huntington Heights all the way to Route 167.
Distractions Behind the Wheel: A Growing Risk in Renton
Life moves fast, and distractions are everywhere—but when they happen behind the wheel, the consequences can be severe. In Renton, 140 crashes were linked to distracted driving. (There were 237 in 2024)
Severity of Distracted Driving Crashes:
- Suspected Serious Injuries: 3
- Suspected Minor Injuries: 13
- Possible Injuries: 41
Even a momentary lapse in attention can result in devastating outcomes. Whether it’s texting, adjusting in-car settings, or other distractions, the numbers show the real dangers of divided focus on Renton’s roads.
Pedestrian Safety in Renton
Renton’s streets present serious risks for pedestrians, with 23 reported pedestrian-involved crashes, including 1 fatalities at high-traffic intersections so far. The number of injured victims has already surpassed 2024’s total.
Severity of Pedestrian-Involved Crashes:
- Fatalities: 2
- Suspected Serious Injuries: 12
- Suspected Minor Injuries: 9
Alcohol-Involved Crashes in Renton: A Growing Concern
Alcohol-related crashes remain a significant safety issue in Renton, with 66 total accidents involving alcohol. The consequences of impaired driving are severe, as shown by the 38 injuries. Luckily, we are still in 0 compared to the 2 alcohol related fatalities in 2024.
Notable Locations of Alcohol-Involved Crashes:
- The Cloverleaf Interchange connecting Route 405 to State Route 167
- 5 crashes occurred at the sharp curves of this interchange.
- 6 additional crashes happened approaching the junction from different directions.
Driving under the influence on highly trafficked, well-signaled routes creates a recipe for disaster. These areas, particularly around the Cloverleaf, require special attention to prevent future incidents and enhance road safety.
Teen Driver Crashes in Renton:
Teen drivers continue to be involved in accidents at alarming rates in Renton. The data reveals concerning numbers, with 164 total crashes (vs 244 last year) involving teen drivers, and a notable percentage of those being alcohol-related.
General Teen Driver Crashes:
- Suspected Serious Injuries: 2
- Suspected Minor Injuries: 24
- Possible Injuries: 34
Teen Drunk Driving Crashes:
- Suspected Minor Injuries: 2
- Possible Injuries: 1
Truck-Related Crashes in Renton
Truck accidents in Renton are a significant safety concern, with a total of 89 crashes recorded (vs 124 in 2024). The vast majority of these incidents occurred on Interstate 405, where over 60 accidents involving trucks were reported.
Breakdown of Truck-Related Crashes:
- Fatalities: 1
- Suspected Serious Injuries: 2
- Suspected Minor Injuries: 5
- Possible Injuries: 15
- No Apparent Injury: 98
With such a high concentration of truck crashes on I-405, drivers should remain especially cautious when navigating this corridor.
If you have been hurt in Renton
Accidents can happen at any moment, and it’s normal to feel confused about what to do first. If you or a loved one has been injured on the streets of Renton, we can help you take the first steps forward.