Va. priest struck and killed by falling tree

PURCELLVILLE, Va. (AP) - December 31, 2008 The Loudoun (LOW-duhn) County Sheriff's Office says the Rev. Michael C. Kelly got out of his car Wednesday to try moving a tree and another motorist stopped to help.

A second tree then fell, striking and killing the 53-year-old priest.

Kelly was the pastor at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Purcellville, about 40 miles west of Washington.

Wintry weather and high winds have knocked down trees and power lines and caused several accidents across the eastern United States.