ZIP 78543 (Elsa, TX) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 78543: 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 78543: I-69 3 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road within 10 miles of ZIP 78543.
Overview
Police reported 3,121 crashes involving commercial trucks in Hidalgo County since 2015: 2,969 people were injured and 65 were killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about 1 truck crash a day.
When crashes happen
March has the most truck crashes, 9.3% of the yearly total, while July has the fewest (6.7%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 43.1% of truck crashes, vs 40.8% for Texas.
The busiest hour is 2–3 pm, with 8.5% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 0.4% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Texas: 1.7%).
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks within 10 miles of ZIP 78543 is I-69, with 3 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. It is followed by Fm 1015 (2), I-2 (2) and Fm 1425 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
34 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 1.1% share (Texas: 1.1%).
Their busiest month is September, with 15% of garbage-truck crashes.
Deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes: 0.0, vs 2.1 for all truck crashes.
Route planning tips for ZIP 78543 fleets
- Plan March schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Hidalgo County.
- Look at alternatives to I-69 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- For residential and commercial waste routes, look again at September schedules: garbage-truck crashes peak then.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
About the data
Crash counts come from the FMCSA crash file (police-reported crashes involving trucks over 10,000 lb); fatal-crash locations come from NHTSA FARS. Text on this page states only what these numbers show.
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) |
|---|---|
| I-69 | 3 |
| Fm 1015 | 2 |
| I-2 | 2 |
| Fm 1425 | 1 |
| Fm 1925/Monte Cristo Rd | 1 |
| Fm 2812 | 1 |
| Fm 491 | 1 |
| Fm 493 | 1 |
| Fm 495 | 1 |
| SR-107 | 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 78543 at a glance
| Population | 8,400 |
| Density | 510 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $44,527 |
| Median home value | $85,556 |
| 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. NHTSA counts 4.2 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 5.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 78543
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 78543?
3,121 truck crashes have been reported in Hidalgo County since 2015, with 65 deaths and 2,969 injuries.
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 78543?
NHTSA data shows I-69 with 3 fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 78543 since 2015, the highest of any road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 78543?
The worst month is March: 9.3% of truck crashes in Hidalgo County happen then.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 78543?
Garbage trucks were involved in 34 reported crashes in Hidalgo County since 2015 (1.1% of truck crashes).
How do truck crashes in ZIP 78543 compare with Texas?
Hidalgo County records 29.2 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 62.9 across Texas.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 78543?
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.