HENRICO COUNTY, VIRGINIA — A Florida tractor-trailer driver has been sentenced to 48 years in prison in connection with a January 2025 homicide on Interstate 295, after pleading guilty to shooting and killing another truck driver following a crash, according to Virginia State Police and court officials.

Authorities said Tony Ray Williams, 55, of Fort Pierce, Florida, entered guilty pleas to murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a violent felon. He received the maximum sentence totaling 48 years: 40 years for murder, 3 years for the firearm charge, and 5 years for being a violent felon in possession of a firearm.

^{Tony Ray Williams}

Virginia State Police said the victim, Silvio Sobrinho, 58, of Revere, Massachusetts, was driving a tractor-trailer in the left lane of I-295 southbound on Jan. 31, 2025, when his vehicle was struck by another tractor-trailer traveling in the center lane. The impact pushed Sobrinho’s truck off the roadway, where it hit a metal guardrail and came to rest. Police said Sobrinho was later found dead with a gunshot wound.

^{Silvio Sobrinho}

Williams was later arrested in Florida, authorities said.

^{Silvio Sobrinho}

“The Virginia State Police remain committed to holding violent offenders accountable and pursuing justice for victims and their families,” said Capt. Brien Frey, who also thanked partner agencies for assistance during the investigation.

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