Man charged with fifth OUI after driving into the Malden River with police in pursuit

Melrose Police report arresting a Melrose man early this morning after, they say, he led officers on a careening chase that ended at the Malden River, where he drove into the water - on the rims that were all that were supporting his pickup - then got out and swam away, all the while taunting the firefighters trying to save his alleged drunk ass.

John Kellum, 42, was taken to a local hospital, where police then charged him with OUI, fifth offense, driving with a revoked license, operating to endanger, failure to stop for police, multiple counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (car) and leaving the scene of an accident.

According to police, officers responded around 1:30 a.m. to Spear Street on a report of a drunk guy causing a commotion. The officers found Kellum in a pickup - and two cars he had crashed into. Then, police say:

[He] rammed one of the responding Melrose Police Cruisers before driving off, leading Melrose Police, who followed and maintained visual contact at a safe distance, into the City of Malden. There, Kellum allegedly drove at another Melrose Police Cruiser, causing the officer to swerve and strike a curb, causing a tire to separate from the wheel.

The impact of the crashes and trying to elude police also caused multiple flat tires on Kellum's vehicle, and he continued driving on the rims.

Police say he didn't stop at the riverbank:

[He] waded out in waist-deep water. The Malden Fire Department responded to assist him, but he swam away from them and taunted the responding firefighters. He finally was pulled from the water taken to an area hospital for treatment.

Innocent, etc.