Suspected DUI driver arrested after crashing into another driver

By Dan Thesman on Tuesday, November 30th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News Featured Stories

COLLEGE PLACE – A Dixie man was arrested for DUI Monday night after being treated for injuries following a two-vehicle injury collision on State Route 125 and College Avenue in College Place. James P. Mathews, 41, was scheduled to make his first court appearance Tuesday in Walla Walla County Superior Court.

According to court documents, Mathews admitted to a Washington State Patrol trooper he injected heroin at around 9 a.m., then injected heroin and smoked methamphetamine at 11 a.m. The accident happened at 2:38 p.m.

Mathews faces a charge of felony vehicular assault after traveling northbound on the highway, then crossing into the southbound lanes and striking William S. Lehr, 48, of Touchet. Lehr was transported by private party to Providence St. Mary Medical Center.

Both Mathews’ 1993 Toyota Camry and Lehr’s 2007 Toyota Corolla were totaled.