Billings was involved in an automobile accident on Route 16 near the Hungry Mother Grocery in Marion, Virginia at 5:00 p. m. on February 14, 1997. He was last seen walking away from the scene toward Mitchell Valley and has never been heard from again. Billings had been driving his sister's car. He did not appear to be injured in the accident and he told the other driver involved that he was all right. It is believed that Billings may have hitched a ride with a truck driver at the Village Truck Stop along Interstate 81 in Atkins, Virginia. Atkins is located between Bristol and Roanoke, Virginia