High speed chase leads to crash, arrests | Crime

A high speed chase through part of Dubois County ended with a 2002 Audi on its top and two men "lucky to be alive" according to the sheriff's office. 

It all started around 8:30 Tuesday night when a deputy clocked a small red car traveling at over 90 miles an hour in a 45 mph zone on State Road 545.

The vehicle was northbound, east of Celestine Road. 

The deputy gave chase into Dubois, with the driver stopping at a stop sign but picking up speed again, this time, turning onto Dubois Road West at about 70-80 mph.  The Audi traveled about a half mile before the driver, 22-year-old Gavin E. Matheis of Celestine, lost control and the vehicle flipped onto its top. 

Matheis and a passenger, 18-year-old James L. Himsel of Jasper, were trapped inside for a short time.  Both had cuts and bruises and were treated at Memorial Hospital.

Matheis had a blood alcohol level of .10 and also had marijuana in his system according to the sheriff's report.  He was taken to the Dubois County Security Center and charged with OWI, reckless driving, criminal recklessness, resisting law enforcement and several other traffic violations.  He wasn't wearing a seat belt.

Himsel was cited for minor consuming but wasn't incarcerated.