Drug Detection in Traffic-Related Fatalities in Connecticut (2020-2024)

Abstract

Motor vehicle fatalities continue to be a leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Beginning in 2019, there was a steady uptick in traffic fatalities nationally, which peaked in 2021. The state of Connecticut has experienced similar trends with increases in traffic fatalities over the last several years. The focus of this review was to evaluate drug positivity in traffic-related fatalities that occurred in Connecticut between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2024. Cases related to traffic fatalities were identified by the state’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Deaths of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians were used for the data set. A total of 1,816 fatal motor vehicle incidents were reviewed. Of these, 312 cases lacked toxicology results, and five cases had testing canceled; both were excluded from substance-related analyses. Among the remaining 1,499 cases with available toxicological data, 1,084 (72%) had at least one positive toxicology finding. Drug positivity was identified in 75% (713 of 948) of driver fatalities, 66% (125 of 188) of passenger fatalities, and 67% (221 of 327) of pedestrian fatalities. The most frequently encountered drugs across all three classes of decedents were ethanol, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, and fentanyl. These findings underscore the pervasive role of drugs and alcohol across all categories of traffic-related deaths and highlight the ongoing need for preventive strategies, toxicology testing, and targeted public safety interventions.