Harrison County man sentenced for chase

By KAY SEDGMER, Times Leader Staff Writer
CADIZ — A 16-mile chase has now led to a six-month stay at East Ohio Corrections Center for a Harrison County man.

Matthew Dowdle, 19, High Street, Jewett, was also ordered to serve three years’ probation with a three-year reserved prison sentence. He must complete drug and alcohol counseling in addition to 100 hours of community license.

Judge Michael Nunner also suspended the man’s license for a one-year period. Six points were also levied against his license.

The charges stemmed from a March 21 automobile chase after troopers from the Wintersville Post of the Ohio Highway Patrol attempted to stop Dowdle on Hanover Ridge Road, Cadiz.

Five people were inside the vehicle operated by the Jewett man. He allegedly sped off and led authorities on a chase that ended near Coultrap Road off U.S. 250. Officials said Dowdle and a juvenile passenger ran from the scene but were located several hours later. Another person was arrested on a misdemeanor charge.

During an earlier arraignment, Dowdle appeared without an attorney and received a $50,000 or 10-percent cash bond after pleading not guilty to the third-degree felony count of failing to comply with an officer’s order. In addition, he was charged with misdemeanor counts of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, no operator’s license, reckless operation, no taillights and no seatbelt.

Also arrested in the case was Leanna Wright of Rumley Road, Jewett. She was arraigned on a fourth-degree misdemeanor drug paraphernalia possession charge and pleaded not guilty.

The juvenile’s name has not be released.

Sedgmer may be reached at ksedgmer@timesleaderonline.com