Man accused of causing serious crash on I-485 cut off ankle monitor

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said a man accused of causing a serious crash on Interstate 485 last month cut off his electronic monitor Sunday.

[PAST COVERAGE: Impaired driver caused I-485 wreck that sent 5 to hospital, troopers say]

Allen Blankenship was ordered by a judge to wear the device as a condition of his pretrial release. On Monday, police said they found and arrested him.

(Allen Blankenship)

"They don't seem to learn that even when they cut them off, they will get caught," said Cheryl Jones, with CharMeck Court Watch.

Jones said even after he's caught, he could end up just getting a slap on the wrist.

The real punishment lies with his felony charges connected to a dangerous wreck on I-485 near Oakdale Road in March.

[REPORT: Impaired driver who caused 2-vehicle crash on I-485 hit family's SUV at 110 mph]

The Highway Patrol cited Blankenship for drunk driving, noting that he was going more than 110 mph when he hit a family's Chevy Tahoe. The crash flung the SUV into the woods, throwing one person 40 feet.

Blankenship was charged with assault with a deadly weapon because the injuries were serious.

Attorney Daniel Grist, who is representing the two adults and one child involved in the crash, said they still need several more months of treatment.

[CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Driver doesn't stop after chain reaction crash on I-485]

In response to Blankenship trying to avoid his punishment, Grist wrote, "If the reports are true and he cut off his ankle monitor, I think that shows a pattern of bad decisions by Mr. Blankenship. This certainly adds to the stress and emotional pain my clients are suffering.  It’s a further indication that Mr. Blankenship doesn’t have much respect for the law."