A 21-year-old man is facing multiple charges after leading Charleston County deputies on a low-speed chase along Interstate 26 and refusing to cooperate during the arrest. The suspect, Elmer Bernabe Perez Velasquez, is charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and failure to stop for blue lights, according to jail records.
Traffic Stop Turns Into Standoff
The incident unfolded when deputies observed a vehicle on I-26 swerving between lanes and making illegal lane changes. According to the report, the driver—later identified as Perez Velasquez—was going about 40 mph in a 60-mph zone, and showed signs consistent with impaired driving.
Deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but Perez Velasquez refused to pull over for nearly four miles. When he finally stopped, he refused to exit the vehicle, prompting officers to break the car window with a baton to open the door and remove him.
Refused Sobriety Test, Alcohol Found in Vehicle
Deputies reported a strong smell of alcohol coming from both the vehicle and the suspect’s breath. Perez Velasquez also refused to take a field sobriety test at the scene.
Upon searching the vehicle, officers found:
Seven unopened beer cans behind the driver’s seat
Three unopened beer cans in the truck bed
At the Charleston County jail, deputies attempted to administer a breath test. The machine malfunctioned during the first two attempts. On the third try, Perez Velasquez refused to blow into the tube, preventing an official blood alcohol reading.
ICE Hold and Bail Set
Perez Velasquez is being held at the Al Cannon Detention Center, where he remains in custody. According to jail records:
His total bond was set at $20,819.50
There is an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) hold, which may impact his release or transfer
This incident highlights the dangers of impaired driving and the challenges law enforcement face when suspects refuse to cooperate. From the initial traffic stop to the refusal to take sobriety tests, each step escalated the situation. The presence of alcohol in the vehicle and Perez Velasquez’s refusal to provide a breath sample further strengthened the case against him. As the legal process continues, officials are also coordinating with immigration authorities due to the ICE hold placed on him.
