Probably imitative, blending 'crack' and 'dash' to capture the sound of violent collision.
To collide violently with an obstacle or another vehicle; to fall or strike with a loud noise.
Probably of imitative origin, blending 'crack' and 'dash.' The word emerged to describe the specific sound of a violent collision — louder and more chaotic than a crack. Key roots: crasshen (Middle English: "to smash (imitative)").
The financial sense of 'crash' (stock market crash) first appeared in 1817 — the metaphor of a violent, sudden collapse transferred perfectly from physical to economic destruction.