NATCHEZ — A late night car accident Wednesday led to one hospitalized Adams County Sheriff’s Office deputy and damage to four brand new cars.

Natchez Police Department, ASCO and Natchez Fire Department responded to the call of a car accident around 11:30 p.m. at Great River Chevrolet car dealership, where Deputy Marcus Washington had crashed into the car lot.

Eyewitness Scottie Rogers was standing across the street at Popeye’s when he saw Washington traveling down D’Evereux Drive toward Seargent S. Prentiss Drive.

According to Rogers, Washington was traveling in the right lane with his blue lights on and was approaching a slower moving vehicle traveling in the left lane.

Rogers said as Washington was getting ready to pass the other vehicle, it pulled into the lane directly in front of Washington.

“He was probably just trying to get out of the way,” Rogers said of the other vehicle.

Rogers said Washington, in response to the other car, pulled to the right to avoid hitting it.

“He made a quick turn and lost control,” Rogers said.

He said Washington then spun into the cars lining the edge of the road at the dealership.

“He wasn’t reckless driving,” Rogers said. “I watched it from start to finish.”

Washington was extricated from the vehicle by the Jaws of Life, placed on a gurney and transported to Natchez Community Hospital.

Major Charles Harrigill said the preliminary reports show that Washington “is not at fault.”

“The investigation isn’t complete yet,” he said, however. “We’ll know more tomorrow.”

The other party involved in the accident is currently unknown.

According to Kenny Jackson, Great River’s general manager, two 2007 Nissan Sentras, one 2007 Chevrolet Silverado and one 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe were damaged.

One of the Nissans was completely totaled, he said.

“I’m looking at somewhere between $25,000 and $30,000,” he said of the total damage.

Harrigill said the sheriff’s office has insurance to cover incidents of this nature.

Jackson said the dealership will start filing the necessary insurance paperwork soon.

Jackson said he’s never encountered a situation like this before in his 12 years as general manager at the dealership.

“This has never happened before that I can remember,” he said.