WATSON, IL — A man surrendered to authorities early this morning, ending a standoff that lasted more than 14 hours outside Watson and had Highway 37 closed until early Friday morning.

Effingham County Sheriff Paul Kuhns said the man, Matthew W. Reissen, surrendered at 4:10am today, coming out of his dwelling and surrendering to officers from the Illinois State Police Tactical Reponse Team. Reissen was living in a home along Illinois Route 37 and was setting fires on and along the highway Thursday and throwing rocks at passing vehicles. When police responded shortly after 2 p.m. Thursday, Reissen went inside the house and would not surrender. Due to concerns Reissen had weapons inside the home, police attempted to be non-confrontational and to talk him out of the house. The sheriff said Reissen was taken for treatment for a cut on his hand.

A tree was blown down on Highway 37 due to the storms overnight. IDOT has cleared that tree. The highway was re-opened shortly after 6am.