North Liberty man accused of leading police on drunken chase

OXFORD - A North Liberty man is accused of leading police on a drunken, high-speed chase.

According to Johnson County Sheriff's Office criminal complaints, deputies received a report around 1:20 a.m. Thursday of a reckless driver. Callers reported the driver, later identified as 44-year-old Lee A. Huedepohl, was westbound on Interstate 80 with speeds as low as 15 mph, authorities said.

A deputy attempted to pull over Huedepohl, but he instead swerved between traffic and engaged in a chase that reached 90 mph. Police were eventually forced to deploy spike strips and box in Huedepohl's vehicle to bring him to a stop.

Police said Huedepohl smelled strongly of alcohol and showed signs of intoxication. Breath tests indicated he had a blood alcohol content of .230 percent to .245 percent, three times the legal limit to operate a motor vehicle in Iowa.

Huedepohl was arrested and faces one count of eluding while driving drunk and drunken driving. If convicted of both offenses, Huedepohl could spend up to seven years in prison.