MacArthur back open after a downed tree that blocked traffic and damaged vehicles removed

Traffic was moving through a MacArthur Boulevard intersection Friday, a day after a collapsed tree limb shut down a portion of the road.

Eyewitnesses said the tree fell at about 2:40 p.m. Thursday. At least four cars were damaged. There were no reports of injuries.

The Springfield Police Department blocked off traffic along MacArthur from Lawrence Avenue to Edwards Street for at least an hour. By Friday morning, the street had been cleared.

Springfield Public Works Director Dave Fuchs said that forestry crews had been out working into the evening Thursday to remove the limb from the roadway, which he described as a "large limb on an old tree".

Fuchs also noted that many of the city's older trees, similar to the one that fell, were significantly weakened by the June 29 storm that damaged property throughout the area.

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Jose Orantia was stopped at the intersection of MacArthur and Lawrence Avenue Thursday. He said he heard a cracking noise from above his grey Toyota Camry as he drove through the intersection. The limb hit the back of the vehicle.

Deanna Muzzy was driving her Subaru Forester through MacArthur when she heard a cracking noise, almost like a fire coming from the tree.

"Before we had time to look around and see where it may have been coming from, the big branch was on top of us," Muzzy said.

Her vehicle wasn't too damaged and no one was hurt. She reflected on the bizarre nature of the incident.

"I did not expect a tree to fall on me today," Muzzy said. "Oh my gosh, does that make me a wicked witch?"

Reporter Ryan Mahan contributed.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Downed tree on MacArthur damages vehicles, blocks off traffic