Anthony Drake Villeda Car Accident – On Sunday afternoon, October 27, a pickup truck driver was fatally injured in a collision with a semi-truck in Iredell County, North Carolina.
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred shortly after 4 p.m. on U.S. Highway 64, just west of Statesville, near the intersection with Lippard Farm Road.
The incident involved a 2005 Ford F-250, driven by 30-year-old Anthony Drake Villeda of Hiddenite, North Carolina, traveling westbound on U.S. 64. Reports from state troopers indicate that Villeda attempted to overtake other vehicles by moving into a no-passing zone, creating a dangerous situation on the two-lane highway.
Tragically, as Villeda attempted the maneuver, his pickup collided head-on with an eastbound 2025 Peterbilt semi-truck. The semi-truck, driven by a 54-year-old, also from Hiddenite, was not hauling a trailer at the time of the incident, a factor that likely influenced the severity of the crash.
The collision resulted in immediate fatal injuries for Villeda, who was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders. The Highway Patrol confirmed that Villeda had a juvenile passenger in the truck, who, fortunately, was not injured in the accident. The driver of the semi-truck was also unharmed, though visibly shaken by the ordeal.
The area along U.S. 64 where the crash occurred is known for its mix of sharp curves and narrow lanes. It has been described as a challenging road for motorists, particularly during times of high traffic, and has been the site of previous traffic incidents. The Highway Patrol has frequently warned drivers to exercise caution in this area, highlighting the risk of overtaking maneuvers in no-passing zones on two-lane highways.