MARION COUNTY — A high-speed chase on Route 161 ended early Sunday morning when the 32-year-old suspect crashed his vehicle into a ditch while trying to turn on to Schwartz Road.

Duston McCowen, of Mt. Vernon was taken into custody immediately following the crash. He was charged aggravated fleeing police, unlawful use of a weapon, illegal possession of a weapon by a felon, and driving while license suspended.

According to Marion County Sheriff’s deputies, they first attempted to stop McCowen around 1:40 a.m. on Bundyville Road but he instead fled the stop and took them on a pursuit that continued onto Route 161 with speeds reaching 100 miles per hour.

When McCowen apparently lost control of his vehicle and crashed in to a ditch when attempted a turn on to Schwartz Road.

Neither McCowen or a female passenger who was released without charge were injured in the crash. Deputies reportedly located a sawed-off shotgun in the vehicle and Animal control was called to take custody of a dog that was in the car.

McCowen was taken to the Marion County Jail where he remains awaiting the formal filing of charges and the setting of bail.