Sullivan County, TN truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Sullivan County: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
15 of 644 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Sullivan County compares with Tennessee
Sullivan County against Tennessee and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Sullivan County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Sullivan County | Tennessee | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 32.6 | 60.1 | 49.7 | 46% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 4.5 | 3.9 | 3.4 | 1.2× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.52 | 0.48 | 0.49 | 1.1× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.4% | 1.9% | 2.3% | 1.2× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 2.7% | 2.3% | 6.2% | 1.2× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 20.2% | 21.8% | 23.7% | 7% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 12.0% | 14.9% | 13.8% | 20% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 38.2% | 40.5% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 24.9% | 25.9% | 24.8% | same |
Sullivan County sits below Tennessee on crashes per 100k residents / yr, morning rush (6–10 am) and in rain, sleet or snow. Where it is higher: deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share.
Sullivan County at a glance: I-81 8 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road in Sullivan County.
Overview
Sullivan County has recorded 644 truck crashes since 2015, with 342 people injured and 26 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 7 days.
When crashes happen
August has the most truck crashes, 10.9% of the yearly total, while January has the fewest (6.7%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 38.2% of truck crashes, vs 40.5% for Tennessee.
More truck crashes happen at 10–11 am than at any other hour (7.9%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 2.7% of truck crashes, compared with 2.3% in Tennessee.
Where crashes happen
I-81 leads in Sullivan County with 8 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. Next come US-11W (4), I-26 (2) and CR-MOUNTAIN View Dr (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 15 of the truck crashes here, or 2.3%, compared with 1.9% in Tennessee.
Route planning tips for Sullivan County fleets
- Plan August schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Sullivan County.
- Where you can, review stops along I-81; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- With 2.7% of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (above Tennessee), plan winter equipment checks early.
- 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 Sullivan County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Sullivan County) |
|---|---|
| I-81 | 8 |
| US-11W | 4 |
| I-26 | 2 |
| CR-MOUNTAIN View Dr | 1 |
| Fordtown Rd | 1 |
| SR-394 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Sullivan County) |
|---|---|
| I-81 | 227 |
| I-26 | 55 |
| E Stone Dr | 25 |
| SR-11W | 19 |
| Interstate 81 Hwy | 15 |
| SR-394 | 14 |
| I-81 Hwy | 12 |
| W Stone Dr | 12 |
Sullivan County at a glance
| Population | 162,703 |
| Land area | 413.5 sq mi |
| Density | 393 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $60,276 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Sullivan 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 | 8 | — | 1.5 |
| 2000s | 40 | +375% | 2.0 |
| 2010s | 49 | +24% | 2.0 |
| 2020s | 56 | +15% | 2.2 |
In the 1990s about 8 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 56. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. NHTSA counts 1.2 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 2.2 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Sullivan County
ZIP codes in Sullivan County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Sullivan County
How common are truck crashes in Sullivan County?
Sullivan County has had 644 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 342 people and killing 26.
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in Sullivan County?
NHTSA data shows I-81 with 8 fatal large-truck crashes in Sullivan County since 2015, the highest of any road.
Which month has the most truck crashes in Sullivan County?
The worst month is August: 10.9% of truck crashes in Sullivan County happen then.
Are garbage truck crashes common in Sullivan County?
Garbage trucks were involved in 15 reported crashes in Sullivan County since 2015 (2.3% of truck crashes).
What is the truck crash rate in Sullivan County compared with Tennessee?
Sullivan County records 32.6 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 60.1 across Tennessee.
How can I plan a safer truck route in Sullivan 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.