According to Pike County Sheriff Jimmy Thomas, 47-year-old Edward Deloach III, of Meansville, was arrested Tuesday evening after allegedly firing a weapon at a Chevrolet Camaro with three occupants — one man and two women — while himself driving southbound on U.S. Highway 19.

Pike County Sheriff’s Office deputies at 5:48 p.m. responded to a report given by a motorist who claimed a man had fired shots at his car from another vehicle.

Authorities say the incident began when the victim observed the suspect driving in what was described as “an extremely erratic manner” while traveling eastbound on Georgia Highway 109 toward Highway 19.

“He would pull up real close to the victim’s rear bumper, then back way off and flash his lights for no apparent reason,” said Maj. David Neal, of the Pike County Sheriff’s Office. “None of the victims have any association with the suspect in this case.”

Once both vehicles were traveling southbound on Highway 19, Deloach allegedly maneuvered his Chevrolet Lumina next to the victim’s Camaro and fired shots from a handgun in its direction.

Neal said it is fortunate no one was injured in the incident.

“There were no injuries, thank goodness. It didn’t appear he (Deloach) hit the victim’s vehicle. When the suspect shot at them, they immediately braked — they stopped. It scared them to death as you can imagine,” he said.

Shortly thereafter, a deputy located Deloach’s vehicle at The Rock Store on Highway 19, where he was taken into custody.

Upon searching the Lumina, two weapons were located — a .380-handgun matching the description given by the victims as the one used in the attack and a .22-caliber handgun.

Officials also allege Deloach was intoxicated at the time of his apprehension.

“He did take an Intoxilyzer 5000 test — that’s the equipment that’s sanctioned by the state of Georgia with the evidence admissible in court — and he registered a .127,” Neal said.

Deloach was arrested and charged with three counts of aggravated assault, driving under the influence of alcohol, open container violation, discharging a firearm while intoxicated, discharging a firearm on a roadway and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

“He hasn’t seen the magistrate (judge) yet,” Neal said Wednesday afternoon. “The warrants have been secured and he’ll probably have his first appearance (Wednesday) evening.”

Deloach is being held in the Pike County Jail.