A 77-year-old man was killed Friday afternoon when his pickup collided head on with the cab of an 18-wheeler on U.S. 301.

Willie Banks of Rocky Mount was driving a 1999 Ford Ranger south on U.S. 301, about halfway between the Battleboro community and Whitakers, N.C. State Highway Patrol Trooper Travis Holloman said.

Banks crossed the center line about 2:30 p.m. and side-swiped a 1981 pickup traveling north. He continued across the line and hitthe cab of an 18-wheeler head-on, Holloman said.

The tractor trailer ended up in a swamp. The driver of the 18-wheeler cab, Carl Davis, 54, of Rocky Mount was taken to the hospital for chest pains and a hand injury. His injuries didn’t appear to be life threatening, Holloman said.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident, Holloman said.