Melrose Man Facing 5th OUI After Driving Into Malden River to Flee Police

Photo: John Kellum, 42, of Melrose. Credit: Melrose Police Department.

A 42-year-old Melrose man was arrested early Sunday morning for drunken driving for the fifth time after leading police on a chase that ended in the Malden River, according to police.

John Kellum, driving a pickup truck, crashed into two parked vehicles on Spear Street in Melrose at about 1:30 a.m. and then rammed a responding Melrose Police cruiser, police said.

According to police, Kellum then drove to Malden, with police following, and drove at another Melrose Police cruiser, causing the officer to swerve off the road and strike a curb, damaging one of the cruiser’s wheels.

Because of the crashes, Kellum’s pickup eventually had multiple flat tires, but he continued to ride on the truck’s rims, police said.

At Medford Street in Malden, roughly three miles away from where the pursuit started, Kellum drove into the Malden River and then waded out to waist-deep water, according to police.

With snow falling, Malden firefighters attempted to rescue Kellum – however, he swam away and taunted them, police said. Kellum was eventually pulled from the icy water and taken to an area hospital, police said.

Kellum is known to police. According to police, he was charged with:

• Operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol (fifth offense)
• Operation of a motor vehicle with a revoked license
• Operation of a motor vehicle to endanger
• Failure to stop for police
• Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon – vehicle
• Leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash (three counts)
• Use of a motor vehicle without authority

No officers were injured.

“This was an extremely dangerous situation, in which a habitual offender with no valid driver’s license allegedly ... tried to run down police officers while he was under the influence of alcohol,” Melrose Police Chief Michael Lyle said in a statement. “I am proud of the way my officers handled themselves, putting the safety of innocent residents above their own.”