Breaking News: Wrong-Way Driving and Impairment Lead to Deadly I-77 Collision in Iredell County

Troutman, North Carolina — May 16, 2025 — According to WBTV 3, a devastating early-morning collision on I-77 in Iredell County turned deadly when a wrong-way driver, believed to be impaired, crashed head-on into a tractor-trailer, sparking a fiery wreck and hours-long highway closure.

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the fatal crash occurred just before 2 a.m. on the northbound lanes of I-77 near Exit 42 (Charlotte Highway). Investigators say a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado was traveling the wrong way—southbound in the northbound lanes—when it collided head-on with an oncoming semi-truck.

The force of the impact caused the tractor-trailer to overturn and catch fire. Troopers confirmed that the driver of the Silverado, 31-year-old Eric Anthony Pompa, was wearing a seatbelt but was still ejected from the vehicle due to the severity of the crash. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the tractor-trailer survived the crash and was transported to a hospital in Winston-Salem. Authorities say the injuries are not life-threatening.

Footage captured at the scene showed the Silverado in ruins and the trailer of the truck lying on its side. The truck’s cab was severely burned and had to be lifted by a wrecker. The truck and trailer reportedly separated during the impact.

I-77 North remained shut down for much of the day, finally reopening to traffic around 1 p.m.

Troopers confirmed that impairment played a role in the collision but said no charges will be filed in connection with the incident due to the death of the at-fault driver.

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

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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.