ZIP 49091 (Sturgis, MI) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 49091: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in St. Joseph 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
16 of 416 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How St. Joseph County compares with Michigan
St. Joseph County against Michigan and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where St. Joseph County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | St. Joseph County | Michigan | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 57.8 | 52.4 | 49.7 | 1.1× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 5.4 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 2.6× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.35 | 0.30 | 0.49 | 1.2× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 4.1% | 3.2% | 2.3% | 1.3× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 16.4% | 17.7% | 6.2% | 7% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 29.6% | 25.5% | 23.7% | 1.2× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 18.0% | 21.9% | 13.8% | 18% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 46.3% | 44.4% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 15.4% | 20.7% | 24.8% | 25% below the state |
St. Joseph County sits below Michigan on on snow, slush or ice, in rain, sleet or snow and after dark. It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash.
What stands out in St. Joseph County: 5.4 deaths for every 100 truck crashes, against 2.1 across Michigan.
Overview
Police reported 416 crashes involving commercial trucks in St. Joseph County since 2015: 150 people were injured and 26 were killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 10 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
December has the most truck crashes, 10.8% of the yearly total, while April has the fewest (6.5%).
November through March accounts for 46.3% of truck crashes here, compared with 44.4% in Michigan.
By time of day, 8–9 am stands out with 10.6% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 16.4% of truck crashes, compared with 17.7% in Michigan.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-80 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (9). After it: CR-LUTZ Rd (1), Nottawa Rd (1) and SR-120 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 16 of the truck crashes here, or 3.8%, compared with 3.2% in Michigan.
Route planning tips for ZIP 49091 fleets
- Plan December schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in St. Joseph County.
- Check whether your routes use I-80, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 29.6% of truck crashes here, more than Michigan; adjust start times where you can.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
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 St. Joseph County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-80 | 9 |
| CR-LUTZ Rd | 1 |
| Nottawa Rd | 1 |
| SR-120 | 1 |
| SR-66 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (St. Joseph County) |
|---|---|
| US-131 | 78 |
| US-12 | 51 |
| N Us 131 | 22 |
| S Us 131 | 15 |
| Main | 15 |
| Michigan | 14 |
| Lutz | 11 |
| Centerville | 11 |
ZIP 49091 at a glance
| Population | 19,337 |
| Density | 86 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $67,333 |
| Median home value | $180,655 |
| Home ownership | 74% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in St. Joseph 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 | 17 | — | 2.6 |
| 2000s | 32 | +86% | 1.3 |
| 2010s | 26 | -19% | 1.7 |
| 2020s | 39 | +51% | 1.8 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 17 to 39. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal large-truck crashes: 1.8 a year in 2016–19, 1.8 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 49091
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 49091?
St. Joseph County has had 416 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 150 people and killing 26.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in ZIP 49091?
I-80 had 9 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 49091 since 2015, more than any other road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 49091?
December has the most truck crashes in St. Joseph County, 10.8% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 49091?
Garbage trucks were involved in 16 reported crashes in St. Joseph County since 2015 (3.8% of truck crashes).
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 49091 compared with Michigan?
Per 100,000 residents, St. Joseph County has 57.8 truck crashes a year; Michigan has 52.4.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 49091?
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.