A road rage incident turned violent on Interstate 85 Southbound in South Carolina on Tuesday. Officials say two occupants in a Nissan sedan fired shots at another vehicle. The suspects traveled to Georgia, where they were arrested.
Authorities identified the suspects as Enrico Natfonza Mayes, 44, of Petersburg, Virginia, and Derek Lydell Coleman, 41, of Prince George, Virginia.
Just before 1:30 p.m., the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office issued a lookout, and troopers from Post 52 in Hartwell were alerted.
Guns and bullet holes
While traveling on GA 77 in Hart County, troopers spotted a car matching the description parked on the side of the highway with two black males standing outside it. The officers identified the occupants by their Virginia driver’s licenses.
During the investigation, troopers also discovered an apparent bullet hole on the front driver’s side quarter panel of the Nissan. They confirmed that the victim’s car had been hit by two bullets – one striking the rear left tire and another that shattered the rear windshield and lodged in the rear center headrest.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported by either party.
While searching the car, troopers found two handguns and a large sum of cash in the trunk area, says Sgt. J.R. Dean with Georgia State Patrol Post 52 in Hartwell.
Both occupants of the Nissan were subsequently arrested and transported to the Hart County Jail for extradition back to South Carolina. The Oconee County, South Carolina, Sheriff’s Office is handling all criminal charges, says Dean.
Road rage rising
This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of road rage and the importance of de-escalation in such situations.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines road rage as “an assault with a motor vehicle or other dangerous weapon by the operator or passenger(s) of another motor vehicle or an assault precipitated by an incident that occurred on a roadway.”
According to the NHTSA, road rage incidents have been on the rise in recent years, and it is important for drivers to remain calm and avoid engaging with aggressive drivers. If you find yourself in a road rage situation, the NHTSA recommends taking a deep breath, slowing down, and avoiding eye contact with the other driver. If necessary, call 911 or the local police to report the incident.
