Local News

Former Morrisville police chief dies in motorcycle crash

A former Morrisville police chief died when he was thrown from his motorcycle and hit a concrete mailbox in Alamance County Saturday evening, according to the state Highway Patrol.

Posted Updated
Robert Whitesell Jr.
GRAHAM, N.C. — A former Morrisville police chief died when he was thrown from his motorcycle and hit a concrete mailbox in Alamance County Saturday evening, according to the state Highway Patrol.

Robert Whitesell Jr., 55, was driving a motorcycle on N.C. Highway 87 South, near Mount Olive Church Road, when he lost control of the bike, troopers said.

Whitesell, of Apex, was thrown from the bike and hit the mailbox. He was wearing a helmet.  Authorities pronounced him dead on the scene.

Whitesell served as Morrisville's police chief for five years before being fired in late 2003 in a personnel matter.

Troopers said speed and alcohol were not factors in the wreck.

Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.