Serial OUI offender leads Melrose police on wild pursuit, ends in river

MELROSE, MA. (MyFoxBoston.com) - A wild slow-speed police pursuit ended in a Malden waterway overnight with the suspect swimming away from his would-be rescuers shouting, "Come and get me." In the end, the suspect who was known to police, was taken into custody with a first stop a local hospital so that he could be treated for hypothermia.

The chase began in Melrose and involved a five time OUI offender, according to Melrose police.

During the incident, several police cruisers and other vehicles were damaged.

Melrose Police Chief Michael L. Lyle said the incident began when officers were called to an address on Spear Street at 1:30 a.m. for a report of an intoxicated man.

When officers arrived, they tried to pull over John Kellum, of Melrose, who was driving a pickup truck. Lyle said Kellum refused to stop and instead drove his truck into Malden where he ultimately drove it into a frigid river.

Along the way, police said Kellum crashed into two parked vehicles on Spear Street and then rammed one of the responding Melrose cruisers before driving off.

Melrose police followed the truck, but said they kept a safe distance.

Once in Malden, police said Kellum intentionally steered into another Melrose police cruiser, causing the officer to swerve and strike a curb.

The impact of those crashes, along with trying to elude police, also caused multiple flat tires on Kellum's vehicle, according to police.

He eventually drove into the Malden River wading out in waist-deep water. He even swam away from would-be rescuers who came to help him before ultimately giving up. After he was pulled to the water he was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Police say he faces the following charges:

• Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol (5th Offense)
• Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Revoked License
• Operating to Endanger
• Failure to Stop for Police
• Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon -- Vehicle (Multiple Counts)
• Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident

None of the officers involved were hurt.

Chief Lyle praised the vigilance and restraint showed by his officers. "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," Lyle said. "I am proud of the way my officers handled themselves, putting the safety of innocent residents above their own."

Cox Media Group