Melrose Man Faces 5th OUI After Police Chase Ends In Icy River
MALDEN (CBS) -- Police arrested an allegedly drunk driver who drove into an icy Malden river and tried to swim away from authorities early Sunday morning.
Melrose police said 42-year-old John Kellum, of Melrose, was reportedly driving drunk in a pickup truck on Spear Street at 1:30 a.m. Kellum allegedly hit two parked vehicles and rammed into a responding Melrose police cruiser before driving off and leading officers on a chase into Malden.
In Malden, Kellum is accused of driving at another Melrose police cruiser, forcing the officer to swerve and strike a curb, resulting in tire damage, police said.
Police say Kellum then drove into the Malden River and waded into the frigid water, where he swam away from and taunted Malden firefighters trying to rescue him. He was eventually pulled out of the water and taken to a local hospital, according to police.
Kellum did not have a valid driver's license and is known to police. He is facing charges including operating under the influence of alcohol (fifth offense) and operating to endanger.
No officers were hurt in the incident.
"This was an extremely dangerous situation, in which a habitual offender with no valid driver's license allegedly drove tried to run down police officers while he was under the influence of alcohol," Melrose Police Chief Michael Lyle said. "I am proud of the way my officers handled themselves, putting the safety of innocent residents above their own."
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports:
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