ZIP 26524 (Bretz, WV) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 26524: 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 |
Compared with West Virginia, Preston County is lower on deaths per 100 crashes and garbage-truck share. Where it is 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
Police reported 227 crashes involving commercial trucks in Preston County since 2015: 94 people were injured and 4 were killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 19 days.
When crashes happen
March has the most truck crashes, 12.8% of the yearly total, while September has the fewest (5.3%).
November through March accounts for 47.0% of truck crashes here, compared with 41.7% in West Virginia.
The busiest hour is 4–5 am, 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
I-68 leads within 10 miles of ZIP 26524 with 5 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. It is followed by US-119 (3), CR-857 Cheat Rd (1) and CR-857 Hartman Run Rd (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 26524 fleets
- Build extra time into March routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Where you can, review stops along I-68; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- 25.1% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above West Virginia; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- 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) |
|---|---|
| I-68 | 5 |
| US-119 | 3 |
| CR-857 Cheat Rd | 1 |
| CR-857 Hartman Run Rd | 1 |
| I-81 | 1 |
| Listravia Ave | 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 26524 at a glance
| Population | 77 |
| Density | 162 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $110,855 |
| Home ownership | 100% |
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 26524
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 26524?
Preston County has had 227 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 94 people and killing 4.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in ZIP 26524?
I-68 had 5 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 26524 since 2015, more than any other road.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 26524?
The worst month is March: 12.8% of truck crashes in Preston County happen then.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 26524?
Since 2015, Preston County has reported 2 garbage-truck crashes, or 0.9% of its truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in ZIP 26524 compare with West Virginia?
Preston County records 57.4 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 57.6 across West Virginia.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 26524?
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.