ZIP 26444 (Tunnelton, WV) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 26444: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Preston County, 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
2 of 227 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Preston County compares with West Virginia
Preston County against West Virginia and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Preston County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Preston County | West Virginia | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 57.4 | 57.6 | 49.7 | same |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 1.9 | 4.1 | 3.4 | 54% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.42 | 0.45 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 0.9% | 1.1% | 2.3% | 15% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 25.1% | 8.1% | 6.2% | 3.1× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 20.5% | 20.9% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 32.1% | 24.8% | 13.8% | 1.3× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 47.0% | 41.7% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 28.8% | 26.6% | 24.8% | 1.1× the state |
Preston County has lower values than West Virginia for deaths per 100 crashes and garbage-truck share. It stands out for higher on snow, slush or ice, in rain, sleet or snow and winter months (nov–mar).
Preston County at a glance: 25.1% on snowy, slushy or icy roads, against 8.1% across West Virginia.
Overview
Preston County has recorded 227 truck crashes since 2015, with 94 people injured and 4 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 19 days.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in March (12.8% of the year) and are lowest in September (5.3%).
November through March accounts for 47.0% of truck crashes here, compared with 41.7% in West Virginia.
By time of day, 4–5 am stands out with 7.0% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 25.1% of truck crashes, compared with 8.1% in West Virginia.
Where crashes happen
Fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 26444 since 2015 were spread across roads: US-50 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 2 crashes, 0.9% of the total, against 1.1% across West Virginia.
Route planning tips for ZIP 26444 fleets
- Build extra time into March routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- With 25.1% of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (above West Virginia), plan winter equipment checks early.
- Paste your stops into the free Route Planner to see the risk score, safer alternatives and low bridges.
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 Preston County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-50 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Preston County) |
|---|---|
| I-68 | 11 |
| I-68 Mp 19 | 7 |
| I-68 - Mp 19 | 6 |
| I-68 - Mp 23 | 6 |
| Us Rt 50 | 5 |
| I-68 Mp 16 | 4 |
| I-68 Mp 22 | 4 |
| I-68 Mp 30 | 4 |
ZIP 26444 at a glance
| Population | 3,490 |
| Density | 21 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $44,004 |
| Median home value | $117,660 |
| Home ownership | 86% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Preston 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 | 2 | — | 0.5 |
| 2000s | 20 | +744% | 0.9 |
| 2010s | 20 | +2% | 0.2 |
| 2020s | 17 | -13% | 0.2 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 2 to 17. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. NHTSA counts 0.2 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 0.2 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 26444
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 26444?
227 truck crashes have been reported in Preston County since 2015, with 4 deaths and 94 injuries.
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 26444?
March has the most truck crashes in Preston County, 12.8% of the yearly total.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 26444?
Garbage trucks were involved in 2 reported crashes in Preston County since 2015 (0.9% of truck crashes).
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 26444 compared with West Virginia?
Per 100,000 residents, Preston County has 57.4 truck crashes a year; West Virginia has 57.6.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 26444?
The free Route Planner takes your stops and returns a route risk score, safer alternatives and low-bridge warnings.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.