Truck driver sentenced to 48 years for murder of fellow trucker in Virginia road rage incident

A truck driver was sentenced to decades in prison after pleading guilty to homicide charges stemming from a fellow trucker’s shooting death in Virginia last year.

Florida resident Tony Ray Williams, 55, pleaded guilty to homicide, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a violent felon, WWBT reports.

Williams was sentenced to 48 years in prison.

Williams was charged following the death of Massachusetts-based truck driver Silvio Sobrinho, 58, on January 31, 2025, in Henrico County, Virginia.

Sobrinho was driving a tractor trailer in the left lane of southbound I-295 when his vehicle was struck by a second semi truck driven by Williams that was traveling in the center lane.

The impact forced Sobrinho’s truck off the road and into a guardrail near mile marker 25.

Virginia State Police said that Sobrinho was found dead after the crash from a gunshot wound.

Following an investigation, Williams was arrested in February 2025 in Fort Pierce, Florida.

“The Virginia State Police (VSP) remain committed to holding violent offenders accountable and pursuing justice for victims and their families. We appreciate the assistance provided by our law enforcement partners throughout this investigation,” said VSP Captain Brien Frey.