Paul Tripp Takes Police on High Speed Chase after Recent Prison Release, Crashes in Hazelwood

Pine Lawn Police said Tripp, a man convicted of dumping Valerie Butler's dead body, drove up to 130 mph trying to escape the police.

A Florissant man who was just released from jail in September is accused of leading police on a drunken high-speed chase Thursday morning that ended in Hazelwood.  Authorities say Paul Alan Tripp, 28, sped away from them during a traffic stop around 3:00 a.m. Pine Lawn Police chased Tripp on Interstate 70 to I-270 and then to Highway 370 before he crashed in the City of Hazelwood at Aubuchon and Missouri Bottom Roads. Pine Lawn Police Officer John Bernsen said Tripp drove at speeds near 130 mph before he crashed into farmland and was then taken into custody. He was charged with Felony DWI, resisting arrest and Careless and Imprudent Driving charges. Bail was set at $40,000. This is reportedly his fourth DWI. Authorities say they plan to …

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