NATCHEZ — An intoxicated driver ran into an Adams County Sheriff’s Office vehicle being driven by a deputy early Sunday morning, officials said.

Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten said Lt. Stanley Searcy Jr. was driving the vehicle when it was struck on the passenger side at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. and State streets at approximately 4:47 a.m. Sunday.

Searcy was treated and released from Merit Health Natchez with minor injuries.

Natchez Police Department officers responded to the accident and arrested the other driver, Alvion Sampson, of Natchez, on a charge of driving under the influence, first offense, and he is now out on bond, police officials said.

Sampson reportedly hit the ACSO vehicle at the intersection, causing it to flip over.

Natchez Police Chief Walter Armstrong said Sampson’s blood alcohol level was a .16, which is above the legal DUI threshold of .08.

“He should not have been driving,” Armstrong said. “We’re thankful Lt. Searcy wasn’t hurt worse or killed. This just shows you what can happen when you choose to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”

Patten said Searcy had some stiffness and soreness as a result of the accident, and no other injuries had been reported.

The county vehicle would more than likely be totaled, Patten said, adding that the car was an older model and the roof caved in when it flipped.

“We are just glad that our deputy is OK,” Patten said. “Drunk driving is a very serious issue that people who carelessly chose to do it take way too lightly.”