SLIPPERY ROCK — A Mercer County man who allegedly waved a gun during a road rage incident on Interstate 79 in Muddy Creek Township pleaded guilty to a summary count of harassment and was fined.

The incident happened March 21 in the area of a construction zone, according to court records. Two men on their way to work at a Jackson Township company alleged their Nissan Altima encountered a black Jeep that became aggressive.

The men alleged the Jeep’s driver, later identified as 27-year-old David N. Smith of Greenville, pointed a handgun at them.

So one of the men in the Altima responded by throwing a drink out the window at the Jeep. Once out of the construction zone, the Jeep allegedly “ran (the Altima) into the berm” of the road, according to court records.

The men in the Altima reportedly followed the Jeep to the Zelienople exit, called police and obtained the Jeep’s license plate number.

Court records say Smith later was interviewed by state police. He denied forcing the Nissan onto the berm, but acknowledged showing the men the 9 mm Taurus that was kept in his vehicle. He reportedly told state police that he did so because he believed the men were angry with him. Police said he admitted “it was a very poor judgment on his part.”

Smith entered his plea Wednesday when he was scheduled to have a preliminary hearing before District Judge Lewis Stoughton in the Slippery Rock district court office.

Smith was ordered to pay the men $1,017 for damage to the Altima and about $200 in court costs and fines.