Arrests Warrants Obtained Against Two Virginia Men after Tuesday Road Rage Incident

An Investigator from the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office obtained arrest warrants Wednesday morning against two Virginia men in relation to a road rage incident, where shots were fired, along and near I-85 Tuesday afternoon.

The two men are identified as follows:

• 42 year old Derek Lydell Coleman
  Montreal Avenue, Prince George, VA
  Two counts of Attempted Murder
  One count of Possession of a Weapon during Commission of a Violent Crime
  One count of Malicious Injury to Personal Property

• 45 year old Enrico Natfonza Mayes
  Hatchett Road, Petersburg, VA
  Two counts of Attempted Murder
  One count of Possession of a Weapon during Commission of a Violent Crime
  One count of Malicious Injury to Personal Property

Deputies from the Uniform Patrol Bureau responded to reports of a hit and run accident and road rage in the southern part of the County early yesterday afternoon. The vehicles involved were a blue Toyota 4Runner, with Florida tags, and a silver or gray Nissan with Virginia tags, which was occupied by Coleman and Mayes.

Oconee County Sheriff’s Office deputies, along with deputies from the Hart County (GA) Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia State Patrol, made contact with all parties involved, and their vehicles, in the state of Georgia. After arriving on scene, the deputies observed damage to the back window and a tire that appeared to be caused by bullets.

The investigation was turned over to the Criminal Investigations Bureau. According to information obtained during the investigation, the driver of the Nissan reportedly swerved in front of the 4Runner along I-85 southbound, which caused the driver of the 4Runner to move to the shoulder of the Interstate. The occupants of the 4Runner, a male driver and a female passenger, reportedly remained in their vehicle.

The driver of the Nissan stopped his vehicle in front of the 4Runner. The two occupants of the Nissan, later identified as Coleman and Mayes, got out of their vehicle and reportedly approached the 4Runner. The driver of the 4Runner drove his vehicle back onto the Interstate and then drove up the exit ramp onto Highway 11 northbound, which is Exit One near the South Carolina/Georgia state line.

The driver of the Nissan reportedly pursued the 4Runner onto Highway 11 northbound.
Eventually, the drivers of both vehicles made their way onto S. Highway 11, heading towards I-85.

As both vehicles were getting back on I-85 southbound, the 4Runner was hit by bullets that were being fired by the occupants in the Nissan. The 4Runner eventually made its way to the southbound Welcome Center along I-85 in Georgia.

According to information released by the Georgia State Patrol, the Nissan was located on Georgia Highway 77. The Georgia State Patrol also reports that Coleman and Mayes were placed under arrest and transported to the Hart County (GA) jail.

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation. Due to the nature of the crime, and privacy and safety concerns, the names of the victims will not be released by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office.

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank our law enforcement partners with the Franklin County (GA) Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia State Patrol and the Hart County (GA) Sheriff’s Office for their help and assistance in relation to yesterday’s incident.