Breaking News: Deadly Collision on I-77 in Iredell County Leaves Two Dead; Driver Faces Charges

Iredell County, North Carolina — April 20, 2025 — According to WSOC TV, a tragic crash on Interstate 77 claimed the lives of two people and led to the arrest of a driver now facing multiple charges.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to reports of a serious collision just after 10 p.m. near mile marker 62 on the southbound side of I-77. Upon arrival, troopers discovered that a pickup truck traveling south had struck an SUV, sending both vehicles off the highway’s right shoulder.

According to investigators, the impact caused the SUV’s driver, identified as 47-year-old Jessica Horton, and an adult passenger to be ejected from the vehicle. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not yet released the name of the second victim.

Preliminary findings point to excessive speed and driver impairment as contributing factors in the crash. The driver of the truck, 31-year-old Benjamin Overton, was taken into custody and now faces several charges, including driving while impaired, reckless driving, and operating a vehicle with a revoked license.

Overton is currently being held at the Iredell County Detention Center under a secured bond of $2.5 million. Law enforcement officials say additional charges may be filed as the district attorney’s office reviews the case.

The collision forced authorities to shut down the southbound lanes of I-77 for nearly ten hours as they worked to document the scene and gather evidence.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to piece together the events that led to the fatal crash.

Our thoughts are with the friends, family, and loved ones of the deceased.

The Ramsay Law Firm has attorneys who are Board Certified in Workers’ Compensation claims to help individuals with severe injuries and death claims.

A Voice For The Injured. Here Every Step of The Way. Call 704-376-1616 or contact us online.

Notes: Our team created this post using secondary sources and has not independently verified all the facts surrounding the accident. If you find any incorrect details, please contact the Ramsay Law Firm so we can update the post with the most accurate information. This post will be removed if requested.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice and is not a solicitation for business. The photograph used in this post is not representative of this accident. If you are injured in an accident, seek medical attention immediately, then speak to a North Carolina personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.