Newspaper delivery driver seriously injured after massive tree falls on car

VALDESE, N.C. — A newspaper delivery person was flown to the hospital early Monday morning after a tree fell on their car in Burke County.

The incident happened in Valdese. Officials reported a 50-foot pine tree landed on John Suttles’ car.

“They said it was a freak accident,” said Lisa Butler, with the Morganton News Herald. “There was no storm he had just started his route. My heart goes out to them. You know, they work hard.”

Andrew Trtala and his family awoke to the accident in front of their home.

“The tree coming down and hitting him perfectly on the top of the windshield,” Trtala said. “Thirty seconds later, he would have been fine.”

Highway Patrol said the tree did not appear to be dead and are not sure why it came down.

Suttles was airlifted to a hospital in Tennessee.

Suttles worked at Morganton Public Safety, rising to the rank of sergeant before leaving the department.

No other information has been released.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

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