Police: Man nearly hit child, bystanders during drunken chase through Perryville

Police say a drunken Perryville, Missouri, man peeled out in front of an officer, ran five stop signs, almost hit a child, hit a parked vehicle, struck barricades and fled on foot before he was arrested Saturday night.

Dylan Ray Dibenedetto, 22, was charged with felony resisting arrest by fleeing, endangering the welfare of a child, felony leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident, misdemeanor careless and imprudent driving, driving while intoxicated and misdemeanor failure to maintain financial responsibility for his vehicle.

His bond was set at $20,000 cash or surety.

Perryville Police Sgt. Alan Morris filed a probable-cause statement in the case. What follows comes from the statement.

Morris saw Dibenedetto in his red pickup truck about 6:30 p.m., squealing and smoking his tires as he made a left turn onto St. Joseph Street.

Morris and Dibenedetto locked eyes, and Dibenedetto responded by driving as fast as 60 or 70 miles per hour through six turns.

Morris chased Dibenedetto with his police lights on through the remainder of the circuitous route. Dibenedetto ran stop signs at Jackson Street and Main Street, twice at Spring Street, at Edwards Street, at Walnut Street and Main Street.

When Dibenedetto turned left onto Edwards Street, he ran his vehicle onto the curb, almost hitting a child and striking a parked vehicle.

Morris slowed when Dibenedetto came to a barricaded area at St. Joseph Street, where a lot of people were standing outside. Dibenedetto hit a barricade as he drove through the area at 40 to 50 mph. Several people within the area got out of the way as Dibenedetto drove through.

Morris circled the block when Dibenedetto turned left onto Shelby Street, and he stopped his patrol vehicle in front of Dibenedetto’s empty pickup. Bystanders said Dibenedetto fled through backyards.

Morris went to 224 W. South St., listed as Dibenedetto’s address, and Dibenedetto came outside to tell the officer his truck was stolen.

Morris, however, immediately recognized him as the suspect.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address: 224 W. South St., Perryville, MO