North Carolina police officer dies after car hits tree

DALLAS, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina police officer has died after his patrol car ran off a road and hit a tree.

Dallas Police Chief Allen Scott told news outlets 22-year veteran Cpl. Travis Wells was killed around 10 a.m. Thursday.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol said the 46-year-old Wells was the only person involved in the wreck and was pronounced dead at the scene. Scott is survived by his wife. The couple has no children.

A state trooper said a report from the medical examiner will be needed to determine the cause of the accident, but added the wreck may have been caused by a medical issue.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION (

0

)

The trooper said the patrol car will be inspected "just to make sure there was nothing mechanically wrong with the vehicle."