ZIP 78537 (Donna, TX) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 78537: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Hidalgo 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
0.0 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 2.1 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Hidalgo County compares with Texas
Hidalgo County against Texas and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Hidalgo County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Hidalgo County | Texas | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 29.2 | 62.9 | 49.7 | 54% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.1 | 4.1 | 3.4 | 49% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.95 | 0.58 | 0.49 | 1.6× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.1% | 1.1% | 2.3% | same |
| On snow, slush or ice | 0.4% | 1.7% | 6.2% | 75% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 17.8% | 22.6% | 23.7% | 22% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 8.6% | 11.3% | 13.8% | 24% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 43.1% | 40.8% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 21.2% | 27.0% | 24.8% | 22% below the state |
Compared with Texas, Hidalgo County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice. It stands out for higher injuries per crash.
What stands out in ZIP 78537: US-281 7 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road within 10 miles of ZIP 78537.
Overview
Police reported 3,121 crashes involving commercial trucks in Hidalgo County since 2015: 2,969 people were injured and 65 were killed.
That averages about 1 truck crash a day in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in March (9.3% of the year) and are lowest in July (6.7%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 43.1% of truck crashes, vs 40.8% for Texas.
More truck crashes happen at 2–3 pm than at any other hour (8.5%).
Road surface: 0.4% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Texas: 1.7%).
Where crashes happen
Within this area, US-281 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (7). It is followed by I-2 (3), Fm 1015 (1) and Fm 2557 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 34 crashes, 1.1% of the total, against 1.1% across Texas.
The most garbage-truck crashes happen in September (15%).
Per 100 crashes, garbage trucks recorded 0.0 deaths compared with 2.1 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 78537 fleets
- Plan March schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Hidalgo County.
- Check whether your routes use US-281, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- Waste haulers: September is the peak month for garbage-truck crashes in Hidalgo County.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
About the data
Sources: the FMCSA crash file for all reported truck crashes and NHTSA FARS for fatal crashes with a large truck. Every statement here comes straight from those numbers.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Hidalgo County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-281 | 7 |
| I-2 | 3 |
| Fm 1015 | 1 |
| Fm 2557 | 1 |
| Fm 3362/Jackson Rd | 1 |
| Fm 491 | 1 |
| Fm 495 | 1 |
| I-20 | 1 |
| I-69 | 1 |
| I2 Frontage | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Hidalgo County) |
|---|---|
| S 9901 Cage Blvd | 19 |
| Monte Cristo Rd | 15 |
| Military Hwy | 14 |
| E 1300 Monte Cristo Rd | 14 |
| Alamo Rd | 11 |
| S 9900 Cage Blvd | 9 |
| Moorefield Rd | 8 |
| N 4600 Cage Blvd | 8 |
ZIP 78537 at a glance
| Population | 51,426 |
| Density | 345 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $40,668 |
| Median home value | $79,465 |
| Home ownership | 74% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Hidalgo 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 | 178 | — | 5.6 |
| 2000s | 196 | +10% | 6.6 |
| 2010s | 199 | +2% | 4.1 |
| 2020s | 296 | +48% | 5.4 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 178 to 296. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 4.2 a year in 2016–19 and 5.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 78537
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 78537?
Since 2015, 3,121 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Hidalgo County (2,969 injured, 65 killed).
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in ZIP 78537?
US-281 had 7 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 78537 since 2015, more than any other road.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 78537?
Truck crashes in Hidalgo County peak in March, with 9.3% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 78537?
Since 2015, Hidalgo County has reported 34 garbage-truck crashes, or 1.1% of its truck crashes.
How does ZIP 78537 compare with Texas for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, Hidalgo County has 29.2 truck crashes a year; Texas has 62.9.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 78537?
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.