Benton Township, Minnehaha County, SD truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Benton Township, Minnehaha County: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes in Benton Township, Minnehaha County and Minnehaha County, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets. Patterns use Minnehaha County numbers.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
16 of 509 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Minnehaha County compares with South Dakota
Minnehaha County against South Dakota and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Minnehaha County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Minnehaha County | South Dakota | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 20.6 | 42.0 | 49.7 | 51% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.4 | 5.2 | 3.4 | 35% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.12 | 0.13 | 0.49 | 8% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 3.4% | 1.6% | 2.3% | 2.1× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 26.7% | 28.6% | 6.2% | same |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 26.9% | 22.2% | 23.7% | 1.2× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 17.6% | 17.5% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 45.1% | 48.8% | 41.9% | 8% below the state |
| After dark | 19.9% | 22.8% | 24.8% | 13% below the state |
Minnehaha County sits below South Dakota on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash. It stands out for higher garbage-truck share and morning rush (6–10 am).
Minnehaha County at a glance: 1 in 29 of truck crashes here involve garbage trucks: 3.4%, vs 1.6% in South Dakota.
Overview
Minnehaha County has recorded 509 truck crashes since 2015, with 59 people injured and 18 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 9 days.
Only 0 truck crashes were reported in Benton Township, Minnehaha County since 2015; patterns below come from Minnehaha County as a whole.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in December (12.2% of the year) and are lowest in April (5.5%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 45.1% of truck crashes, against 48.8% across South Dakota.
More truck crashes happen at 12–1 pm than at any other hour (8.8%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 26.7% of truck crashes, compared with 28.6% in South Dakota.
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks within 10 miles of Benton is I-90, with 2 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. After it: I-29 (1), SR-38 (1) and SR-42 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 16 crashes, 3.1% of the total, against 1.6% across South Dakota.
Route planning tips for Benton Township, Minnehaha County fleets
- Plan December schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Minnehaha County.
- Where you can, review stops along I-90; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- 26.9% of truck crashes happen between 6 and 10 am, above South Dakota; consider earlier or later starts where possible.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
About the data
Crash counts come from the FMCSA crash file (police-reported crashes involving trucks over 10,000 lb); fatal-crash locations come from NHTSA FARS. Text on this page states only what these numbers show.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Minnehaha County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-90 | 2 |
| I-29 | 1 |
| SR-38 | 1 |
| SR-42 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Minnehaha County) |
|---|---|
| I-90 | 113 |
| I-29 | 105 |
| I-229 | 26 |
| Sd Hwy 42 | 14 |
| E Benson Rd | 13 |
| Sd Hwy 11 | 13 |
| N Cliff Ave | 10 |
| E Rice St | 9 |
Benton Township, Minnehaha County at a glance
| Population | 735 |
| Land area | 30.6 sq mi |
| Density | 24 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 57020) | $101,500 |
| Median home value (ZIP 57020) | $320,029 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Minnehaha 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 | 23 | — | 1.3 |
| 2000s | 36 | +61% | 1.2 |
| 2010s | 31 | -16% | 0.8 |
| 2020s | 53 | +73% | 1.8 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 23 a year in the 1990s and 53 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 1.8 a year in 2016–19 and 1.8 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about Benton Township, Minnehaha County
How common are truck crashes in Benton Township, Minnehaha County?
Since 2015, 509 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Minnehaha County (59 injured, 18 killed).
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in Benton Township, Minnehaha County?
NHTSA data shows I-90 with 2 fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of Benton since 2015, the highest of any road.
Which month has the most truck crashes in Benton Township, Minnehaha County?
December has the most truck crashes in Minnehaha County, 12.2% of the yearly total.
Are garbage truck crashes common in Benton Township, Minnehaha County?
16 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Minnehaha County since 2015, 3.1% of all truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in Benton Township, Minnehaha County compared with South Dakota?
Per 100,000 residents, Minnehaha County has 20.6 truck crashes a year; South Dakota has 42.0.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in Benton Township, Minnehaha County?
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.