ZIP 26543 (Osage, WV) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 26543: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Monongalia 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
9 of 561 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Monongalia County compares with West Virginia
Monongalia County against West Virginia and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Monongalia County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Monongalia County | West Virginia | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 43.8 | 57.6 | 49.7 | 24% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 5.2 | 4.1 | 3.4 | 1.3× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.42 | 0.45 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.7% | 1.1% | 2.3% | 1.6× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 9.5% | 8.1% | 6.2% | 1.2× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 24.1% | 20.9% | 23.7% | 1.2× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 20.2% | 24.8% | 13.8% | 18% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 41.4% | 41.7% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 21.9% | 26.6% | 24.8% | 18% below the state |
Compared with West Virginia, Monongalia County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr, in rain, sleet or snow and after dark. Where it is higher: deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice.
What stands out in Monongalia County: 1 in 58 garbage-truck share of crashes is 1.7%, against 1.1% for West Virginia.
Overview
Police reported 561 crashes involving commercial trucks in Monongalia County since 2015: 234 people were injured and 27 were killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 8 days.
When crashes happen
The worst month is January with 11.1% of truck crashes; the quietest is February at 5.9%.
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 41.4% of truck crashes, vs 41.7% for West Virginia.
More truck crashes happen at 12–1 pm than at any other hour (9.1%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 9.5% of truck crashes, compared with 8.1% in West Virginia.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-79 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (5). It is followed by I-68 (4), US-119 (3) and US-19 (3).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 9 crashes, 1.6% of the total, against 1.1% across West Virginia.
Route planning tips for ZIP 26543 fleets
- Build extra time into January routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Check whether your routes use I-79, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 24.1% of truck crashes here, more than West Virginia; adjust start times where you can.
- With 9.5% 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 Monongalia County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-79 | 5 |
| I-68 | 4 |
| US-119 | 3 |
| US-19 | 3 |
| SR-7 | 2 |
| CR-7 | 1 |
| CR-73 | 1 |
| CR-857 Cheat Rd | 1 |
| CR-857 Hartman Run Rd | 1 |
| I-81 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Monongalia County) |
|---|---|
| I-79 | 20 |
| I-68 | 18 |
| I-79 Mp 144 | 13 |
| I-68 Mp 13 | 8 |
| I-79 Mp 146 | 7 |
| I-79 Mp 143 | 7 |
| I-79 - Mp 150 | 7 |
| I-68 Mp 10 | 6 |
ZIP 26543 at a glance
| Population | 0 |
| Density | 0 per sq mi |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Monongalia 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 | 14 | — | 2.4 |
| 2000s | 41 | +199% | 0.9 |
| 2010s | 49 | +20% | 2.2 |
| 2020s | 47 | -4% | 2.2 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 14 to 47. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. NHTSA counts 2.5 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 2.2 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 26543
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 26543?
561 truck crashes have been reported in Monongalia County since 2015, with 27 deaths and 234 injuries.
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in ZIP 26543?
I-79 had 5 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 26543 since 2015, more than any other road.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 26543?
Truck crashes in Monongalia County peak in January, with 11.1% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 26543?
9 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Monongalia County since 2015, 1.6% of all truck crashes.
How does ZIP 26543 compare with West Virginia for truck crashes?
The yearly rate is 43.8 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Monongalia County, vs 57.6 for West Virginia.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 26543?
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.