Three objects in the sky.

This happen about fifteen years ago and is still as fresh in my memory if it had happen today.  My girlfriend was helping me relocate back to coalinga from fresno, ca.
It was about 10:00-10:30 at night.  We were driving on the outskirts of Fresno when I notice this bright very fast moving object in the sky. We tried to follow it, but it was difficult to keep up with this object. 
At one point it stoped and seemed to divide into three objects. There was a fruit orchard on the passenger side of the road, the object hovered then disappered into the orchard. We turned left and drove til we seen the objects fly out of the orchard. Then we followed them for at least a hour. Then they seemed to notice us and they started to follow us. We could not drive fast enough. Then I remember pulling into a diner very scared.  Later, we recounted our story to my friends dad he said it was a weather ballon.  We never believed this.
Also, about six mounths later i was driving and seen this big bright hovering light???
Witness indicates that date is approximate.  PD