Melrose Man Indicted After Leading Police on Drunken Car Chase

Photo Credit: Melrose Police

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan announced multiple Grand Jury indictments on Friday, including a resident from Melrose who led police on a wild chase back in January.

John Kellum, Jr., 43, was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, operating under the influence of alcohol, operating a motor vehicle to endanger, operating under the influence of alcohol with a suspended license, three counts of leaving the scene of property damage, and failure to stop for police.

According to authorities, Kellum led police on a chase from Spear Street in Melrose to the Malden River, at Medford Street in Malden, starting at about 1:30 a.m. Sunday, January 4.

Kellum, who allegedly was drunk, drove his pickup truck at speeds up to 60 mph in residential neighborhoods, struck two parked cars, rammed a police cruiser, drove another cruiser off the road and knocked over mailboxes during the roughly three-mile pursuit.

Ultimately, Kellum’s drove his truck right into the Malden River. Once in the icy water, he allegedly swam away from Malden firefighters, and taunted them. He was later arrested at the scene.

The OUI charge was the fifth that Kellum’s been issued.