A master trooper with the Virginia State Police died Friday afternoon after the motorcycle he was riding collided with an automobile, officials said.

The incident occurred about 1 p.m. on U.S. 220 at Bassett Forks in Henry County, according to state police spokesman Sgt. Rob Carpentieri.

A 2000 Honda Accord was northbound on U.S. 220 and was in the center turn lane, preparing to make a left turn when it collided with a 1986 Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was traveling south, Carpentieri said. The cycle struck the passenger side of the vehicle and the rider was thrown from the bike.

The trooper, Ralph William Carroll Sr., 59, of Stanleytown was airlifted to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, where he later died from his injuries, Carpentieri said.

Carpentieri said the driver of the Honda was Christopher Cunningham, 20, of Collinsville.

No charges were filed in the incident Friday.

"This is going to have to go before a special prosecutor because the commonwealth's attorney knew the trooper," Carpentieri said. He did not know Friday when that would happen.

Carroll, who worked in Martinsville and Henry County, was off duty at the time of the crash.

The right southbound lane was closed for several hours after the wreck.

-- Neil Harvey