FORT PAYNE — A traffic safety checkpoint in the Kilpatrick community led to a vehicle pursuit and arrest after a driver allegedly attempted to evade deputies, according to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Nick Welden said the incident occurred Wednesday, May 20, when DeKalb County deputies were conducting a traffic safety checkpoint at the intersection of County Road 179 and County Road 433 in Kilpatrick.

Deputies reportedly observed a silver Chevrolet Sonic attempting to avoid the checkpoint and made contact with the driver, identified as Christian Perez-Lopez, 24, of Albertville. Authorities said deputies observed alcohol and drug paraphernalia in plain view inside the vehicle.

According to the sheriff’s office, while deputies attempted to remove Perez-Lopez from the vehicle, he accelerated and drove away, initiating a pursuit.

Authorities said the pursuit traveled down County Road 179 at a high rate of speed. Perez-Lopez allegedly crossed Alabama Highway 68 without stopping at a stop sign, drove through the parking lot of the Marathon gas station, and continued onto Highway 168.

During the pursuit, deputies said Perez-Lopez passed several vehicles on Highway 168 before attempting to turn onto County Road 479, where he reportedly lost control of the vehicle and struck a utility pole.

Investigators said Perez-Lopez then exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended after allegedly resisting arrest.

The DeKalb County Drugs and Major Crimes Unit responded to the scene and conducted a search of the vehicle.

Perez-Lopez was charged with felony attempting to elude, resisting arrest, possession of drug paraphernalia, and third-degree criminal mischief.

The sheriff’s office said Perez-Lopez was identified as a Guatemalan national allegedly residing illegally in the United States and is expected to be transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody upon release from the DeKalb County Detention Center.

Sheriff Welden praised deputies for safely ending the pursuit and emphasized that reckless behavior endangering law enforcement officers and the public would not be tolerated.