Deadly crash, downed tree shut down parts of George Washington Memorial Parkway

Falling tree kills driver on George Washington Parkway

A deadly crash shut down GW Parkway for hours after a tree fell on a car, killing the driver. The driver has not been identified.

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. - A fatal accident shut down George Washington Parkway for hours on Thursday after a tree fell on a car, killing the driver. 

This was not the first time at tragedy like this has happened on the parkway. 

Rough conditions:

U.S. Park Police responded to the accident at around 7:30 a.m. 

Bad weather on Thursday morning, including rain and high winds, led to a tree falling on GW Parkway near Donaldson Run. 

Only one car was involved in the accident, and only one occupant was in that car. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

All traffic north and southbound was closed for nearly seven hours between Route 123 and Spout Run. They reopened around 2 p.m.

Local perspective:

It was a scary thought for those who drive the road regularly.

"It’s crazy. First of all, I didn’t think it was going to snow today but it did snow. I didn’t think it was going to do that, but they did crazy. It’s unfortunate, and I just hope it doesn’t happen anywhere else down the freeway or anything," driver Javi Ercrez said. 

This is the second time a tree has fallen and killed a driver in less than year. 

Last May, a tree fell during a thunderstorm, killing a 61-year-old woman as her car was struck.

The name of the driver in Thursday’s accident has not yet been released.