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North Carolina trooper dies after long battle with COVID-19

RALEIGH, N.C. — A North Carolina trooper died Thursday afternoon from COVID-19, according to the State Highway Patrol.

Officials said 1st Sgt. Timothy “Lee” Howell died at UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill where he had a lengthy battle with the virus.

“Please keep the entire Howell family and his Troop A, District 9 family in your continued thoughts and prayers,” the North Carolina Highway Patrol said in a Facebook post.

Lee is survived by his mother, Burma Howell; daughters, Bailey Owens and Olivia Howell; brother, Lynn Howell; and girlfriend, Krystal Westbrook.

No other details have been released at this point.