Police: Man uses machete during Zephyrhills road rage incident

ZEPHYRHILLS — A 34-year-old man who cut another man with a machete after the two tangled in traffic was arrested Tuesday evening by Zephyrhills Police, the department said.

The attack happened shortly after 6:30 p.m. at Walmart on Gall Boulevard, the victim told officers. Johnathan Bailey pulled his vehicle up beside the victim's vehicle and "swung a sword," according to arrest records, cutting the victim's right hand.

The victim told officers the incident happened because the victim "cut (Bailey) off" earlier in the night.

Bailey, a North Carolina native, was arrested on a felony charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, according to arrest records.

Officers said Bailey admitted to them that he used the machete, but only because the victim was following him.

The victim had a cut about one inch long between his thumb and index finger, officers said. The man, who has not been identified by police, was not taken to the hospital.

Bailey was being held in Pasco County jail Wednesday morning on $10,000 bail, arrest records said.

Contact TyLisa C. Johnson at tyjohnson@tampabay.com. Follow @tylisajohnson.