Troopers: Driver who wrecked and died on I-485 Monday afternoon had just fled a traffic stop

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Troopers say the driver killed in a crash on I-485 Monday afternoon had just fled a traffic stop. 26-year-old Aris Townsend died after losing control near exit 33, driving up an embankment and hitting a tree.

Investigators say a trooper stopped Townsend just before 3:30 for operating recklessly in the outer loop near NC 49. As the trooper approached the car, Townsend drove off, exited onto US 29, and got back on the I-485 inner loop.

He collided with other vehicles before losing control. Two people in the other vehicles were taken to the hospital by EMS.