The GW Parkway was closed in Arlington for hours after a fatal crash caused by a falling tree.
The incident happened in rainy weather just after 7:30 a.m., in the southbound lanes of the parkway near Chain Bridge.
“A tree fell and struck a moving vehicle on the southbound George Washington Memorial Parkway near Donaldson Run, resulting in a fatal single-vehicle crash,” a U.S. Park Police spokesperson told ARLnow shortly after 11:30 a.m. “U.S. Park Police are still on the scene. The vehicle had one occupant. No other vehicles were involved in the incident.”
Southbound lanes were diverted onto Route 123 in McLean and northbound lanes were diverted onto Spout Run Parkway in Arlington. Heavy traffic was reported on Route 123/Chain Bridge Road, N. Glebe Road, the Spout Run Parkway and Langston Blvd as a result of the closure of a major commuter route during rush hour.
The closures were lifted around 2 p.m., after a crash investigation and work to clear the scene.
UPDATE: Crash with Injury. George Washington Memorial Pkwy SB past VA-123. Fairfax County, VA. All SB lanes remain blocked. SB traffic diverted to VA-123. NB traffic diverted to Spout Run Pkwy. Delays remain, and extend on VA-120, VA-123, and the Chain Bridge.
— MATOC Alerts (@MATOC) March 12, 2026
