HENRICO COUNTY, Va. – A Florida man has been arrested in connection to a deadly shooting that caused a tragic tractor-trailer crash on Interstate 295 in late January 2025. The incident, which claimed the life of 58-year-old Silvio Sobrinho, was initially believed to be a fatal crash but has since been revealed to involve foul play.
According to Virginia State Police, the collision occurred around 11:30 p.m. on Friday, January 31, on I-295 South near Pocahontas Parkway. Authorities reported that Sobrinho, who was driving a tractor-trailer in the left lane, was struck by a second truck traveling in the center lane. The impact sent Sobrinho’s truck off the road, causing it to crash into a metal guardrail.
Upon investigating the scene, police discovered that Sobrinho had sustained a gunshot wound, confirming that the crash was not simply an accident but the result of a deadly shooting. The second truck involved in the crash was described as a white tractor-trailer, though the driver’s identity remained unknown at the time.
After an intensive investigation, Virginia State Police, with assistance from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Fort Pierce Police Department, arrested 55-year-old Tony Ray Williams of Fort Pierce, Florida, on Thursday, February 13. Williams was taken into custody in Florida and is currently facing charges of second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Williams is expected to be extradited to Henrico County, where he will face further proceedings. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to determine the events leading up to the shooting.
Captain Brien Frey, of the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, expressed gratitude for the collaboration with local law enforcement agencies in Florida, which aided in bringing Williams into custody. “Virginia State Police is committed to ensuring the safety of the public across the Commonwealth, investigating major incidents, and seeking justice for those affected by tragic events,” said Capt. Frey.
The incident has left many questions unanswered, and Virginia State Police are asking anyone with additional information about the shooting or the crash to contact their Bureau of Criminal Investigation at 804-750-8758.
