CALHOUN MAN FLEEING POLICE FACING MULTIPLE CHARGES - Suspect Hits 80-100 Mph Across County, Charged DUI 3rd Offense

(05/07/2013)

A Calhoun man fled from state trooper Jeff Hunt early Saturday morning following an attempted traffic stop, leading him on a chase that ended 15-20 miles away. Trooper Hunt attempted to stop James Blankenship, 28, of Big Bend on the Mt. Zion Ridge just before 2 a.m., with Blankenship fleeing from the officer around the ridge, turning down Pine Creek Road, a back road into Grantsville. Blankenship, driving a white truck with Florida plates, continued to flee on Rt. 5 west toward Big Bend, turning off on a dead-end road known as Bell's Ford, where he was apprehended. The criminal complaint said Blankenship reached speeds of 80-100 mph, the vehicle frequently going left-of-center, running stop signs and going into the ditch, nearly crashing. Calhoun Sheriff Carl Ballengee assisted in the apprehension. Blankenship, who has faced numerous other charges in the county, was taken to Central Regional, and is now facing fleeing while DUI, license revoked, 3rd offense DUI, left of center passing, and failing to obey traffic control signs. Bail has been set at $31,000.

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