Truck accident statistics for Franklin County, Pennsylvania (2020-2024)

Truck accident deaths in Franklin County by year

Truck accident deaths fell from 3 in 2020 to 1 in 2021, then rose to 3 in 2022 and 12 in 2023. The count fell to 4 in 2024. The highest count was 12 in 2023, and the lowest was 1 in 2021. The 2024 count was higher than the 2020 count by 1 death.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

The annual share of traffic deaths attributed to truck accidents was 20.0% in 2020, 6.7% in 2021, 18.8% in 2022, 38.7% in 2023 and 19.0% in 2024. All traffic deaths numbered 15, 15, 16, 31 and 21 in those respective years. These yearly figures count deaths, rather than the number of fatal crashes.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Deaths within 30 days in crashes on public roads. 2024 figures come from the FARS Annual Report File and can be revised.

Who died in Franklin County truck accidents

People in the large truck accounted for 3 deaths, or 13.0%, while People in other vehicles accounted for 19 deaths, or 82.6%. People in other vehicles were the largest category of truck accident deaths. The row "Pedestrians, bicyclists and other people outside vehicles" recorded 1 death, or 4.3%.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

That quoted label represents the FARS nonoccupant grouping, including pedestrians, pedalcyclists and other or unknown nonoccupants. The grouping can include occupants of motor vehicles not in transport, such as parked vehicles. It therefore does not apply a literal test of whether someone was outside a vehicle.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

The trucks involved

The vehicle records identify 19 large trucks in fatal crashes during 2020 through 2024. Truck-tractors, described in the table as semi or tractor-trailer units, numbered 11 and represented 57.9% of those large trucks. Single-unit and other large trucks numbered 8. Large trucks recorded as jackknifed numbered 0.^{[1][2][3][4][5][8][7]}

These are vehicle counts, distinct from the county's 19 fatal crashes and 23 truck accident deaths. A crash can involve multiple large trucks. The truck-tractor share describes the vehicles recorded in fatal crashes, rather than a share of crashes or people killed.^{[1][2][3][4][5][8][7]}

Counts are trucks, not crashes. One crash can involve more than one large truck.

How the fatal truck crashes happened

Manner of collision describes the first harmful event. Angle (side impact) recorded 5 deaths, or 21.7%; Head-on, 4, or 17.4%; Rear-end, 5, or 21.7%; and Sideswipe, 1, or 4.3%. "Not a collision with another moving vehicle" recorded 8 deaths, or 34.8%. That row means no collision with a motor vehicle in transport, which can include a vehicle stopped in traffic. Examples include striking a pedestrian, cyclist, parked vehicle or fixed object, or a rollover.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Separately, truck accident deaths by crash configuration were Single-vehicle: 3, or 13.0%; Two-vehicle: 18, or 78.3%; and Three or more vehicles: 2, or 8.7%. Configuration describes vehicle involvement separately from manner of collision.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Interstates, time of day and setting

Interstate truck accident deaths numbered 9, representing 39.1% of the county total. The listed route-coded count for I-81 was 9 deaths. Interstate identification uses the interstate route classification and a parseable interstate route number. The listed route counts are a coded subset, rather than a full road network.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Daytime recorded 12 deaths, or 52.2%, and nighttime recorded 11, or 47.8%. Urban locations recorded 15 deaths, or 65.2%, while rural locations recorded 8, or 34.8%. Work-zone deaths numbered 0. These location and time figures describe deaths in qualifying crashes, rather than counts of trucks.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Truck accident death rate compared with Pennsylvania and the United States

Franklin County's truck accident death rate was 2.9 average annual deaths per 100,000 residents for 2020 through 2024. Pennsylvania's rate was 1.3, and the national rate was 1.6. The county rate was higher than both. Among the listed neighboring counties, Frederick County, Maryland had a rate of 1.7, and Cumberland County, Pennsylvania had a rate of 1.9. Franklin County's rate was higher than each listed neighbor's rate.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

These rates use deaths at the crash location and annual population estimates; they do not adjust for miles driven or visitors. For readers searching for a truck accident lawyer, the same grouping applies: these death counts describe crash locations, not the home counties of the people killed.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

Rates divide deaths by the sum of annual Census population estimates, so they show deaths per 100,000 residents per year. They do not adjust for miles driven or for visitors.

About these figures

NHTSA's census of fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes is FARS. To qualify for inclusion, a crash must involve a motor vehicle traveling on a trafficway customarily open to the public, with an occupant or nonoccupant death occurring within 30 days. Neither nonfatal crashes nor injuries are included. Counts by county are based on where the crash occurred, not where the deceased person resided.^[9][6][7][8]

The 2020 through 2023 figures use FARS Final Files. The 2024 Annual Report File figures may change when replaced by the Final File. Rates divide 2020 through 2024 deaths by the sum of annual Census Bureau population estimates, Vintage 2025, then multiply by 100,000. The separately displayed July 1, 2024 population estimate is not the denominator. These average annual rates do not adjust for miles driven or visitors.^[9][6][7][8]

See also

• Truck accident statistics for Frederick County, Maryland (2020-2024)
• Truck accident statistics for Cumberland County, Pennsylvania (2020-2024)