Georgia man killed after tree falls on car in Great Smoky Mountains
A Georgia man died Thursday after a tree fell on his car along the Spur in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Authorities identified the man as Barry Willard Wallace, 73, of Cedartown. He was the only person in the Honda Odyssey he was driving on the southbound side of the Spur/U.S. 441 between the Welcome Center and Gatlinburg, WBIR Channel 10 news reported.
» FRIDAY'S GEORGIA WEATHER-TRAFFIC: Some showers still around after strong overnight storms
"There are a series of locations where there's been some landslides into the road blocking one or both lanes, numerous areas where trees have come down the slopes into the roadway, and we have also experienced a lot of flooding at the same time," Great Smoky Mountains National Park Deputy Superintendent Clay Jordan told reporters after the storm, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported.
The tree fell as the sky dumped more than 4 inches of rain on the region within an hour, Jordan said.
The Spur was closed in both directions while the Tennessee Department of Transportation helped the Park Service clean up.
@myTDOT crews are assisting the National Park Service tonight due to slides that have closed The Spur in Sevier County. pic.twitter.com/OBB5wZmmI4
— myTDOT (@myTDOT) August 1, 2019
The road has reopened, but the Northwest Georgia Severe Weather Team warns anyone traveling through the park this weekend to expect delays.
About the Author
Nancy Clanton is a lead producer for The AJC's platforms team, but also writes stories about health, travel, events and entertainment. A native of Knoxville and graduate of the University of Tennessee, she has worked at the AJC for 24 years.
