Jamie Lee Chris Schammel, 37, of Austin was arrested late Saturday night after allegedly leading Mower County deputies on a 16 ½ mile long high-speed chase.

According to Chief Deputy Mark May, a deputy spotted a 1999 Audi A6 driving suspiciously at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday while on patrol on County Road 2.

The deputy observed the vehicle coming from the opposite direction and swerving over the fog line. When the vehicle passed, he noticed the driver kept hitting the brakes. The deputy then turned around and followed the vehicle. When the deputy activated his lights, the vehicle allegedly sped up. The deputy activated his siren when the vehicle went through a stop sign at the intersection of 260th Street and County Road 16.

As the deputy gave chase, the Audi’s driver, Schammel, allegedly threw beer cans and “clear stuff” that looked like salt out the window. Another deputy who was nearby attempted to stop the Audi using stop sticks, but the Audi swerved to avoid them.

The second deputy joined the pursuit and speeds exceeded 100 miles per hour as they ran along County Road 2 near Brownsdale, according to May. A third deputy joined the pursuit when Schammel turned onto Highway 56.

On two occasions, Schammel hit the brakes quickly, with a squad car making contact the first time and two deputies swerving to avoid him the second time, according to May. When the chase reached the 19000 block of Highway 56, Schammel hit his brakes again and was struck by a squad car, forcing the Audi to go into a ditch on the east side of the road, roll over several times and stop in a field. Deputies found Schammel knocked out, but not injured. He allegedly had a bag, suspected of having methamphetamine in it, in his right hand.

Schammel was taken to Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin, where a blood test was administered to determine if he was under the influence of a controlled substance. He was then taken to Mower County Jail, where he is awaiting possible charges of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, DWI and drug possession, according to May.

A review of Schammel’s criminal history shows prior convictions for theft, disorderly conduct, burglary, drug and drug paraphernalia possession, terroristic threats, domestic assault, and third-degree murder-controlled substance (aiding and abetting).