The man killed on Interstate 20 this morning in Rockdale County has been identified as 60-year-old Roy Arndt of Oxford.

A large tree fell on Arndt's pickup truck on I-20 westbound near Sigman Road during Tuesday's rain during morning rush hour, killing Arndt and causing a seven-car chain reaction crash.

The accident occurred around 6:20 a.m. on Interstate 20 westbound between Sigman Road and the DeKalb County line. A 1998 Toyota Tacoma was travelling on I-20 towards Atlanta just past Sigman Road when a large tree fell in the strong wind and rain from the side of the interstate. The tree landed on the cab of the truck and entrapping the driver, later identified as Arndt, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

After the initial accident, several other vehicles were involved in a chain reaction accident attempting to avoid hitting the truck and the tree, which was blocking the interstate. The Georgia State Patrol assisted the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office by handling those accidents, while the RCSO Special Operations Unit worked the fatal accident.

As a result of the accident, I-20 between Sigman Road and Turner Hill Road was closed for approximately two hours, causing major traffic congestion.

The accident is still under investigation, but the tree being downed by the rain and wind is believed to be the main cause.