Anthony Villeda Car Accident: Driver dies in head-on crash in Iredell County

A pickup truck driver was killed in Iredell County on Sunday afternoon after colliding with a semi, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

According to state troopers, the incident occurred shortly after 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27, west of Statesville on U.S. 64 near Lippard Farm Road. A 2005 Ford F-250 was driving west on U.S. 64 and attempted to pass westbound automobiles in a no-passing zone.

The truck then collided with a westbound 2025 Peterbilt semi-truck that lacked a trailer.

The Ford’s driver, Anthony Drake Villeda, 30, of Hiddenite, was pronounced dead on scene. A juvenile passenger in the vehicle was not hurt.

The driver of the Peterbilt, a 54-year-old Hiddenite resident, was not wounded.

Troopers said the initial investigation indicates careless and reckless driving to be the contributing factor in the collision.

U.S. 64 was closed in the area on Sunday afternoon, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation. No charges will be filed in this case.