Vehicle Pursuit in Kilpatrick

FORT PAYNE, Ala. - On Wednesday, May 20th, 2026, Dekalb County Deputies were conducting a traffic safety check point at the intersection of County Road 179 and County Road 433 in Kilpatrick when they observed a Silver Chevrolet Sonic attempting to avoid the check point. Deputies made contact with the driver, identified as Christian Perez-Lopez (24 of Albertville) and observed alcohol and drug paraphernalia in plain view within the vehicle. While Deputies were attempting to remove Perez-Lopez from the vehicle, he accelerated and drove off, initiating a vehicle pursuit. 

Christian Perez-Lopez (24 of Albertville)

The pursuit went down County Road 179 at a high rate of speed and Perez-Lopez crossed HWY 68 without stopping at the stop sign, went through the parking lot at the Marathon Gas Station and continued onto HWY 168. Perez-Lopez passed several vehicles on HWY 168 and attempted to turn right onto County Road 479 where he lost control of his vehicle and struck a utility pole. Perez-Lopez exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended after actively resisting arrest. 

The Dekalb County Drugs and Major Crimes Unit responded and a vehicle search was conducted, after which Perez-Lopez was arrested and charged with Felony Attempt to Elude, Resisting Arrest, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Criminal Mischief 3rd. Perez-Lopez was identified as a Guatemalan national illegally residing in the United States and will be transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody upon release from the Dekalb County Detention Center.

DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden said of the incident: "I am proud of our Deputies for bringing this pursuit to a safe end. Reckless decisions and disregard for the law put our Deputies and the public at risk and will not be tolerated." 

"God Bless!" Concluded Sheriff Welden.