Pence, WI truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Pence: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes in Pence and Iron County, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets. Patterns use Iron County numbers.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
1 of 27 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Iron County compares with Wisconsin
Iron County against Wisconsin and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Iron County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Iron County | Wisconsin | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 35.0 | 42.6 | 49.7 | 18% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 16.7 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 4.9× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.50 | 0.46 | 0.49 | 1.1× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 0.0% | 2.7% | 2.3% | 100% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 50.0% | 13.4% | 6.2% | 3.7× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 20.8% | 26.9% | 23.7% | 23% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 25.0% | 16.5% | 13.8% | 1.5× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 75.0% | 44.9% | 41.9% | 1.7× the state |
| After dark | 25.0% | 20.9% | 24.8% | 1.2× the state |
Iron County has lower values than Wisconsin for crashes per 100k residents / yr, garbage-truck share and morning rush (6–10 am). It stands out for higher deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and on snow, slush or ice.
What stands out in Iron County: 16.7 deaths per 100 truck crashes, vs 3.4 in Wisconsin.
Overview
Police reported 27 crashes involving commercial trucks in Iron County since 2015: 14 people were injured and 5 were killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 167 days.
With 1 truck crash reported in Pence since 2015, this page uses Iron County numbers for its patterns and comparisons.
When crashes happen
The worst month is January with 25.9% of truck crashes; the quietest is April at 0.0%.
November through March accounts for 75.0% of truck crashes here, compared with 44.9% in Wisconsin.
By time of day, 6–7 am stands out with 14.8% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 50.0% of truck crashes, compared with 13.4% in Wisconsin.
Where crashes happen
Roads with fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of Pence since 2015: US-51 (2), Island Lake Rd (1) and US-2 (1). No single road stands out.
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 1 of the truck crashes here, or 3.7%, compared with 2.7% in Wisconsin.
Route planning tips for Pence fleets
- Plan January schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Iron County.
- Icy and snowy roads show up in 50.0% of truck crashes here, more than Wisconsin; schedule winter checks early.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
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 Iron County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-51 | 2 |
| Island Lake Rd | 1 |
| US-2 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Iron County) |
|---|---|
| Ush 051 | 8 |
| Ush 002 | 7 |
| 5Th Ave | 1 |
| Cth Ff | 1 |
| Fisher Lake Rd West | 1 |
| Island Lake Rd | 1 |
| Parking Lot | 1 |
| S Island Lake Rd | 1 |
Pence at a glance
| Population | 158 |
| Land area | 1.1 sq mi |
| Density | 148 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 54525) | $74,375 |
| Median home value (ZIP 54525) | $82,691 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Iron 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 | 4 | — | 0.5 |
| 2000s | 3 | -28% | 0.0 |
| 2010s | 3 | -7% | 0.3 |
| 2020s | 2 | -32% | 0.4 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 4 a year in the 1990s and 2 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 0.5 a year in 2016–19 and 0.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about Pence
How common are truck crashes in Pence?
Since 2015, 27 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Iron County (14 injured, 5 killed).
What is the worst month for truck crashes in Pence?
Truck crashes in Iron County peak in January, with 25.9% of the year's crashes.
Are garbage truck crashes common in Pence?
Garbage trucks were involved in 1 reported crash in Iron County since 2015 (3.7% of truck crashes).
How does Pence compare with Wisconsin for truck crashes?
The yearly rate is 35.0 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Iron County, vs 42.6 for Wisconsin.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in Pence?
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.