A Pickens, S.C., man was fatally shot the driver of a Suzuki Sidekick on Saturday afternoon during a road-rage argument that resulted from a fender bender on West Martintown Road, according to law enforcement.

North Augusta Department of Public Safety Detective Tim Thornton said authorities aren't sure whether Clarence Shehan, 51, will face criminal charges.

The dead man is identified as Mark Y. Sharrock, 49, of Edgefield, Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton said.

The cause of death is undetermined pending an autopsy today in Newberry, S.C., but Mr. Carlton said he thinks Mr. Sharrock died from a gunshot wound to his back.

Police said the incident started when Mr. Sharrock rear-ended a trailer that Mr. Shehan was towing behind his Chevrolet Suburban in the 1100 block of West Martintown Road.

As Mr. Shehan stopped to assess the damage, Mr. Sharrock pulled up next to him and the two spoke, Detective Thornton said.

Mr. Sharrock then left the scene of the accident.

Following him, Mr. Shehan reached for his cell phone to report the incident, but before he could dial authorities, Mr. Sharrock stopped abruptly in the eastbound lane of West Martintown Road near Knobcone Drive, police said.

Mr. Sharrock got out and approached Mr. Shehan's window, Detective Thornton said.

"The way I understand it, Mr. Shehan was never able to get out of his car," he said.

Detective Thornton said Mr. Sharrock began choking Mr. Shehan, who took his .45-caliber pistol from his glove box and shot Mr. Sharrock, Detective Thornton said.

Mr. Shehan then dialed 911, he said.

"He pretty much said, 'I've just shot somebody,'" the detective said.

Authorities found Mr. Sharrock lying face down on the road, Detective Thornton said. He did not have a weapon.

"It's just unclear at this point whether Shehan acted in self-defense or otherwise," Detective Thornton said. "We're going to make sure we understand what happened to the best of our knowledge before we pursue any criminal charges."

Authorities should know by early next week whether Mr. Shehan will be charged, once autopsy results and other information are available.

Police released Mr. Shehan Saturday after questioning.

"We doubt he would have called 911 if he was a flight risk," Detective Thornton said.

When contacted at home Saturday night, Mr. Shehan's sister, Ruth Smith, said she had not heard about her brother's involvement in the shooting.

"He's easygoing," Mrs. Smith said of her brother, who goes by the nickname Tony. "It's hard to get him fired up. I'm sure he really thought his life was in danger."

Reach Kate Lewis at (706) 823-3215 or kate.lewis@augustachronicle.com.