Chapel Hill man, 55, killed by falling tree as storms blow through

Raleigh, N.C. — A 55-year-old Chapel Hill man died Wednesday evening when a tree fell on him as heavy rain, strong winds and thunderstorms moved through the Triangle, police said.

According to investigators, William Randolph Morris was standing on the back deck of his home on Roper Lane at about 6:45 p.m. when the tree fell, killing him instantly.

The street is in Chapel Hill city limits but located in Durham County.

Damaging straight-line winds with gusts up to 60 mph were reported in the Triangle, resulting in multiple downed trees and power lines, WRAL Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel said.

No other information about Morris' death was released.

Another falling tree killed a person in Winston-Salem. Police said Justin Cardwell died when a pine tree fell on his car as storms rushed through the Piedmont. 

A tree also fell onto the back of a home on New Bern Avenue in Raleigh, but no injuries were reported.