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© Fairfax County PolicePolice respond after a fallen tree on Georgetown Pike killed one person Tuesday evening.
Great Falls, Virginia - One lane of Georgetown Pike in Great Falls is now open after a 40-ton tree crushed a 2008 Mercedes CL600, killing the driver Tuesday evening. Traffic is alternating directions. WTOP Traffic still recommends Route 7 as an alternative. Traffic along Georgetown Pike/Va. 193 between Springvale Road and Walker Road completely shut down after the tree came down around 6:45 p.m. Tuesday.


Fairfax County Police identified the driver who died as Albert Carl Roeth III, 64. He was the only one in the car. Police say alcohol and speed did not factor into the accident.

While it hasn't been determined why the 100-foot tall, 40-ton tree fell at 9916 Georgetown Pike, it's believed recent storms weakened the aging tree.

One tree expert says the tree has been in serious decline for years.

"That tree has been a problem waiting to happen," Vic Price of Vic's Tree Service of Great Falls tells WTOP.

"It had no leaves. It had no root system to speak of. Gravity was going to take it down. In a busy area like that, I love trees as much as the next person, but sometimes they need to come down," he says.

A few yards from the accident scene a second tree, an oak, had to be cut down because a Fairfax County arborist determined it was in danger of toppling. Once the tree is trucked away, Georgetown Pike will reopen.