Tree Falls on Car, Killing Driver on Virginia Parkway

Second fatal incident in less than a year on the same stretch of road

Mar. 13, 2026 at 5:57am

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A driver was killed on Thursday morning when a tree fell onto their vehicle on the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Arlington, Virginia. This is the second such fatal incident on this stretch of road in less than a year, after a similar accident claimed the life of 61-year-old Marla Holden in May 2025.

Why it matters

The George Washington Memorial Parkway is a heavily trafficked road, and these tragic incidents raise concerns about the safety and maintenance of the trees lining the parkway. The National Park Service had conducted tree maintenance in the area after the previous fatality, but this latest accident suggests more may need to be done to prevent future tragedies.

The details

The driver was traveling on the parkway when the tree fell onto their vehicle, causing significant damage. The accident closed both lanes of traffic near the Donaldson Run Trail until around 1:45 p.m., when the badly damaged car was towed from the scene. This is the second time in less than a year that a driver has been killed by a falling tree on this stretch of the parkway.

  • The accident occurred on Thursday morning, March 13, 2026.
  • In May 2025, a similar incident claimed the life of 61-year-old Marla Holden on the same parkway.
  • In September 2025, the National Park Service conducted eight weeks of tree maintenance in the area of the initial deadly accident.

The players

George Washington Memorial Parkway

A heavily trafficked roadway in northern Virginia operated by the National Park Service.

Marla Holden

A 61-year-old driver who was killed when a tree fell on her car on the George Washington Memorial Parkway in May 2025.

National Park Service

The federal agency responsible for maintaining the George Washington Memorial Parkway, which conducted tree maintenance in the area after the 2025 fatality.

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What’s next

The National Park Service will likely conduct a thorough review of the tree maintenance and safety protocols along the George Washington Memorial Parkway to determine if additional measures are needed to prevent future incidents.

The takeaway

These tragic accidents on the George Washington Memorial Parkway highlight the importance of proactive tree maintenance and safety measures on heavily trafficked roads, especially in areas prone to severe weather events that can cause trees to fall. The National Park Service's response will be closely watched to see if more can be done to protect drivers on this critical transportation corridor.