ZIP 98943 (South Cle Elum, WA) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 98943: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Kittitas 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
5 of 1,375 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Kittitas County compares with Washington
Kittitas County against Washington and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Kittitas County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Kittitas County | Washington | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 248.4 | 25.8 | 49.7 | 9.6× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.0 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 41% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.10 | 0.18 | 0.49 | 44% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 0.4% | 2.2% | 2.3% | 83% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 35.2% | 9.7% | 6.2% | 3.6× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 21.7% | 24.8% | 23.7% | 12% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 32.8% | 20.2% | 13.8% | 1.6× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 55.1% | 43.8% | 41.9% | 1.3× the state |
| After dark | 33.5% | 25.2% | 24.8% | 1.3× the state |
Compared with Washington, Kittitas County is lower on deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share. It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr, on snow, slush or ice and in rain, sleet or snow.
What stands out in Kittitas County: 35.2% on snowy, slushy or icy roads, against 9.7% across Washington.
Overview
Police reported 1,375 crashes involving commercial trucks in Kittitas County since 2015: 142 people were injured and 28 were killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 3 days.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in December (15.0% of the year) and are lowest in April (5.0%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 55.1% of truck crashes, vs 43.8% for Washington.
The busiest hour is 5–6 am, with 6.8% of truck crashes.
35.2% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 9.7% across Washington.
Where crashes happen
I-90 leads within 10 miles of ZIP 98943 with 4 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. After it: SR-970 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
5 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 0.4% share (Washington: 2.2%).
Route planning tips for ZIP 98943 fleets
- Review driver schedules for December, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Check whether your routes use I-90, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- 35.2% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above Washington; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
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 Kittitas County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-90 | 4 |
| SR-970 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Kittitas County) |
|---|---|
| Sr-10*103.60 | 5 |
| Sr-97*163.20 | 4 |
| I-90 Mp 114.90 | 3 |
| Sr-97*150.00 | 3 |
| Sr-97*153.00 | 3 |
| Sr-97*163.00 | 3 |
| Sr-97*165.00 | 3 |
| Canyon Rd Blk 7100 | 2 |
ZIP 98943 at a glance
| Population | 579 |
| Density | 268 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $66,750 |
| Median home value | $401,254 |
| Home ownership | 72% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Kittitas 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 | 71 | — | 2.0 |
| 2000s | 72 | +2% | 1.5 |
| 2010s | 108 | +49% | 1.5 |
| 2020s | 119 | +11% | 1.6 |
In the 1990s about 71 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 119. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 2.8 a year in 2016–19 and 1.6 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 98943
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 98943?
Kittitas County has had 1,375 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 142 people and killing 28.
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 98943?
Since 2015, I-90 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 98943: 4.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 98943?
December has the most truck crashes in Kittitas County, 15.0% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in ZIP 98943?
Since 2015, Kittitas County has reported 5 garbage-truck crashes, or 0.4% of its truck crashes.
How does ZIP 98943 compare with Washington for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, Kittitas County has 248.4 truck crashes a year; Washington has 25.8.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 98943?
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.