West Marion, NC truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in West Marion: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes in West Marion and McDowell County, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets. Patterns use McDowell County numbers.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
2 of 622 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How McDowell County compares with North Carolina
McDowell County against North Carolina and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where McDowell County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | McDowell County | North Carolina | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 119.7 | 61.3 | 49.7 | 2.0× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.2 | 2.5 | 3.4 | 12% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.46 | 0.66 | 0.49 | 30% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 0.2% | 2.6% | 2.3% | 93% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 2.2% | 1.7% | 6.2% | 1.3× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 19.3% | 24.0% | 23.7% | 20% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 10.1% | 10.5% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 39.9% | 41.0% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 25.3% | 20.4% | 24.8% | 1.2× the state |
McDowell County has lower values than North Carolina for deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share. It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr, on snow, slush or ice and after dark.
What stands out in McDowell County: 1 in 588 garbage-truck share of crashes is 0.2%, against 2.6% for North Carolina.
Overview
Police reported 622 crashes involving commercial trucks in McDowell County since 2015: 288 people were injured and 13 were killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 7 days.
Only 0 truck crashes were reported in West Marion since 2015; patterns below come from McDowell County as a whole.
When crashes happen
The worst month is June with 11.3% of truck crashes; the quietest is August at 6.9%.
The five winter months (November to March) hold 39.9% of truck crashes, against 41.0% across North Carolina.
The busiest hour is 2–3 pm, with 9.0% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 2.2% of truck crashes, compared with 1.7% in North Carolina.
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks within 10 miles of West Marion is US-221, with 3 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. Next come SR-226 (2), N Main St (1) and SR-80 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
2 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 0.3% share (North Carolina: 2.6%).
Route planning tips for West Marion fleets
- Plan June schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in McDowell County.
- Look at alternatives to US-221 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- 2.2% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above North Carolina; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
About the data
This report uses the FMCSA crash file (reported crashes of trucks over 10,000 lb) and NHTSA FARS (fatal crashes). It reports the numbers without guessing at reasons.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in McDowell County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-221 | 3 |
| SR-226 | 2 |
| N Main St | 1 |
| SR-80 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (McDowell County) |
|---|---|
| North Main Street | 6 |
| Love'S Travel Store | 4 |
| Pilot Travel Center | 4 |
| Baldwin Avenue | 3 |
| Love'S Travel Stop | 3 |
| E Court St | 2 |
| Pilot Pva | 2 |
| Pilot Truck Stop | 2 |
West Marion at a glance
| Land area | 1.5 sq mi |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in McDowell County since the 1990s
Combines the FMCSA crash file (all reported truck crashes, real coverage from about 1990) with NHTSA FARS (fatal crashes involving a large truck, 1982–2024).
| Decade | Truck crashes / yr | Change | Fatal crashes / yr (FARS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 35 | — | 0.6 |
| 2000s | 43 | +24% | 1.2 |
| 2010s | 51 | +18% | 1.2 |
| 2020s | 50 | -2% | 0.8 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 35 a year in the 1990s and 50 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 1.0 a year in 2016–19, 0.8 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about West Marion
How common are truck crashes in West Marion?
Since 2015, 622 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in McDowell County (288 injured, 13 killed).
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in West Marion?
Since 2015, US-221 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of West Marion: 3.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in West Marion?
June has the most truck crashes in McDowell County, 11.3% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in West Marion?
Garbage trucks were involved in 2 reported crashes in McDowell County since 2015 (0.3% of truck crashes).
What is the truck crash rate in West Marion compared with North Carolina?
McDowell County records 119.7 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 61.3 across North Carolina.
How can I plan a safer truck route in West Marion?
Use the free Route Planner: enter your stops to get a risk score, safer alternatives and the low bridges on your route.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.