RALEIGH --The investigation into Thursday’s ride accident at the N.C. State Fair has led to the arrest of a Georgia man who operated the ride Timothy Dwayne Tutterrow, 46, of Quitman, Ga., has been charged with three felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious bodily injury, Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison announced at a news conference.

“After inspection of the ride, we determined that it had been tampered with and critical safety devices were compromised,” Harrison said.

Tutterrow is employed by an independent ride contractor. The Vortex is the only ride the company has at the State Fair.

The investigation is continuing, and additional arrests may be made, Harrison said.

Five people were injured in the accident, which involved the Vortex on the lower midway behind the Expo Center. Witness accounts indicated the ride had stopped and people were off loading when the ride restarted.

The victims were taken to WakeMed Hospital. Two have been released. Three remain hospitalized. They are Anthony Gorham, 29; Kisha Gorham, 39; and a 14-year-old juvenile.