High speed chase winds through Cedar County

NELIGH — A high speed chase through Cedar County resulted in the arrest of a South Dakota man.

At approximately 8:15 a.m., Monday, troopers were informed the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office was in pursuit of a vehicle traveling west on Highway 20 near Laurel. The vehicle, a Buick LeSabre, had previously been reported to law enforcement as potentially containing a suicidal party.

A Neb. State Patrol trooper joined the pursuit and eventually became the lead unit as the vehicle continued west on Highway 20 outside of Osmond. During the pursuit, which reached speeds of 90 miles per hour, the suspect’s vehicle swerved toward oncoming traffic on several occasions. The driver also intentionally made contact with pursuing officers’ patrol units multiple times throughout the pursuit.

As the pursuit reached Brunswick, in Antelope County, a trooper successfully deployed spike strips to slow the vehicle. Another trooper then utilized a tactical vehicle intervention to bring the vehicle to a stop. The subject was then taken into custody.

The driver, Matthew Waters, 34, of Colton, S.D., was arrested for felony flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, assault on an officer with use of a vehicle, and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Waters is currently housed in the Antelope County Jail in Neligh.

The Randolph, Osmond, Plainview and Orchard schools were all placed in lock down as the chase went through their communities. The Randolph and Laurel Police Departments also assisted in the incident.