Afternoon traffic through Rock Creek Park turned into a scare on Monday when a large tree crashed across Piney Branch Parkway NW, smashing into three vehicles and sending one person to the hospital. Their injuries were described as non-life-threatening. Crews shut down the parkway to clear the mess and had it back open later in the day. The incident is the latest in a recent run of dangerous tree failures along federally maintained parkways in the D.C. region, according to WUSA9.
U.S. Park Police told WUSA9 that the fallen tree hit three vehicles and that one person was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Rock Creek Park officials said the parkway was closed during the response and that crews fully reopened the roadway at about 4:15 p.m., according to the outlet.
Tree Trouble Follows Deadly Crash On GW Parkway
Less than two weeks earlier, a driver was killed when a tree came down onto a vehicle on the George Washington Memorial Parkway, triggering multi-lane closures while crews worked to secure the scene. NBC4 Washington reported on that March crash and the extended response by U.S. Park Police.
Arborist Flags Role Of Pruning And Inspections
Charles Boston, an ISA-certified arborist and tree risk assessment specialist, told WUSA9 that regular, proactive tree work can help cut down the chances of dramatic failures like these. Strategic pruning and, when necessary, targeted removals are part of that toolbox. “Tree pruning could prevent older trees from toppling or losing branches years down the line,” Boston said.
What Road Managers And Drivers Are Watching
The National Park Service conducted an eight-week maintenance push along parts of the GW Parkway last fall, a project that shined a spotlight on tree care and hazard removal along the busy corridor, NBC4 Washington reported. For now, officials are urging drivers to be especially cautious on wooded parkways during storms and to give work crews plenty of space when branches or whole trees force closures.
