A Washington County Sheriff's lieutenant was arrested on suspicion of DUI following a rollover off state Route 17, Washington County, Feb. 9, 2014 | Photo courtesy of the Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – The defense in a drunk driving case involving a former sheriff’s lieutenant has filed a motion to suppress potential evidence.

During a pretrial conference held Wednesday, Judge Michael Westfall canceled a jury trial set for Sept. 19 for Jason “Jake” Lynn Adams. Adams, a former Washington County Sheriff’s lieutenant, is currently facing two misdemeanor charges for DUI and failure to stay in a single lane in connection with a vehicle rollover that occurred Feb. 9.

Adams pleaded not guilty to charges on May 28.

Adams and four of his children were in an unmarked county pickup truck traveling on state Route 17 through Toquerville when the truck left the roadway and rolled down an embankment, landing on its top. Neither Adams nor his children were seriously injured in the accident.

According to court records, Adams reportedly failed field sobriety tests conducted by a responding Utah Highway Patrol trooper. A blood test was also conducted.

Mike McGinnis, Adams’ attorney, filed a motion in August to suppress the blood test results. He previously stated he believes there are “issues” with the blood evidence.

Those issues came to light in the motion in which McGinnis argues the blood was drawn illegally and Adams’ constitutional rights were violated.

According to the motion, when the UHP trooper asked Adams to submit to the blood test, Adams wrote on the blood test consent form that he did not give consent. However, McGinnis said in the motion that a blood sample was later drawn without a warrant, and argues Adams may have been coerced into submitting to the test.

There is currently no specific date set for the evidentiary hearing. However, Westfall said the court would notify the attorneys in 45 days as to when the hearing may be set.

Adams resigned from the sheriff’s office in March. In order to avoid a potential conflict of interest in the case, the Washington County Attorney’s Office has declined to handle the case. Instead, it is being handled by an attorney with the City of St. George.

Ed. note: This article has been updated with additional information obtained from court records regarding the motion to suppress the blood-alcohol test evidence.

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