Athens, WV truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Athens: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes in Athens and Mercer County, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets. Patterns use Mercer County numbers.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
7 of 570 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Mercer County compares with West Virginia
Mercer County against West Virginia and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Mercer County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Mercer County | West Virginia | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 83.0 | 57.6 | 49.7 | 1.4× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 4.2 | 4.1 | 3.4 | same |
| Injuries per crash | 0.51 | 0.45 | 0.49 | 1.1× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.1% | 1.1% | 2.3% | same |
| On snow, slush or ice | 5.7% | 8.1% | 6.2% | 29% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 24.8% | 20.9% | 23.7% | 1.2× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 17.5% | 24.8% | 13.8% | 29% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 39.2% | 41.7% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 28.9% | 26.6% | 24.8% | 1.1× the state |
Mercer County has lower values than West Virginia for on snow, slush or ice and in rain, sleet or snow. It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr, injuries per crash and morning rush (6–10 am).
Athens at a glance: I-77 9 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road within 10 miles of Athens.
Overview
Since 2015, 570 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Mercer County. They injured 286 people and killed 22.
That averages about one truck crash every 8 days in fully reported years.
With 27 truck crashes reported in Athens since 2015, this page uses Mercer County numbers for its patterns and comparisons.
When crashes happen
The worst month is October with 10.2% of truck crashes; the quietest is December at 6.5%.
The five winter months (November to March) hold 39.2% of truck crashes, against 41.7% across West Virginia.
More truck crashes happen at 4–5 pm than at any other hour (7.2%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 5.7% of truck crashes, compared with 8.1% in West Virginia.
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks within 10 miles of Athens is I-77, with 9 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. It is followed by SR-20 (1), US-19 (1) and US-460 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 7 crashes, 1.2% of the total, against 1.1% across West Virginia.
Route planning tips for Athens fleets
- Plan October schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Mercer County.
- Where you can, review stops along I-77; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- Morning starts matter: 24.8% of truck crashes fall between 6 and 10 am, higher than West Virginia.
- 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 Mercer County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-77 | 9 |
| SR-20 | 1 |
| US-19 | 1 |
| US-460 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Mercer County) |
|---|---|
| I-77 | 33 |
| I-77 Mp 21 | 18 |
| I-77 Mp 7 | 15 |
| I-77 Mp 12 | 12 |
| I-77 Mp 16.50 | 10 |
| I-77 Mp 18 | 10 |
| I-77 Mp 23 | 10 |
| I-77 Mp 8 | 10 |
Athens at a glance
| Population | 1,178 |
| Land area | 0.4 sq mi |
| Density | 2,923 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 24712) | $80,625 |
| Median home value (ZIP 24712) | $213,832 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Mercer 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 | 13 | — | 1.8 |
| 2000s | 41 | +212% | 1.5 |
| 2010s | 42 | +1% | 1.8 |
| 2020s | 53 | +27% | 0.6 |
In the 1990s about 13 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 53. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. Fatal large-truck crashes: 2.0 a year in 2016–19, 0.6 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about Athens
How many truck crashes happen in Athens?
570 truck crashes have been reported in Mercer County since 2015, with 22 deaths and 286 injuries.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in Athens?
I-77 had 9 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of Athens since 2015, more than any other road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in Athens?
October has the most truck crashes in Mercer County, 10.2% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Athens?
7 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Mercer County since 2015, 1.2% of all truck crashes.
How does Athens compare with West Virginia for truck crashes?
Mercer County records 83.0 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 57.6 across West Virginia.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in Athens?
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.