DUI, drug charges mount for suspect arrested following pursuit on SR-18

2018 file photo for illustrative purposes only of a rollover on state Route 18 near mile marker 6 in St. George, Utah, Nov. 17, 2018 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Cases continue to mount for a Southern Utah man who was arrested following a pursuit on state Route 18 over the weekend and now faces first-degree felony charges in addition to fleeing.

2021 file photo for illustrative purposes only St. George Police officers responding to a crash in St. George, Utah, Jan. 18, 2021 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

Adam Brett Wallin, 38, of Ivins was arrested following an incident on Saturday that began when an officer noticed a motorcycle heading south on SR-18 shortly after 2 p.m. with a rider reportedly driving recklessly. The bike reportedly continued to weave in and out of the travel lanes as it continued towards St. George.

According to the probable cause statement filed with the courts, the officer continued to follow as Wallin slowed the bike until he was traveling well below the speed limit. The officer activated his emergency lights and attempted to stop the motorcycle.

Instead of stopping, the report states, the motorcycle veered to the right and went off the highway where it continued along the bicycle path to the west of the highway. The officer also noted there was a pedestrian walking along the path at the time, which is when the pursuit was cancelled as a safety precaution.

Meanwhile, the motorcycle continued along a dirt road away from SR-18, and after heading southwest for about a mile, the bike crashed near the Chuckwalla trailhead. Immediately after,Wallin ditched the bike and fled from the scene on foot.

The foot chase was picked up by a St. George Police officer who continued to pursue Wallin along the Chuckwalla trail, and minutes later, the suspect hid in the brush. A K-9 team was dispatched to track the suspect, and shortly thereafter, the animal located Wallin still hiding in a bush.

He was subsequently arrested by police and administered a field sobriety test, which officers say he failed. Wallin was transported to St. George Regional Hospital for a blood draw, and once he was medically cleared, he was taken into custody and transported to Purgatory Correctional Facility.

Wallin was booked Sunday and at the time was facing multiple charges, including third-degree felony evading and a misdemeanor charge for the same offense. He also faces one count each of DUI, reckless driving, interlock restricted driver driving vehicle without interlock device and driving without insurance.

On Wednesday, three additional charges were filed against Wallin following a six-month investigation by the Washington County Drug Task Force.

2012 file photo for illustrative purposes only of Washington County Drug Task Force officer during warrant and drug-related arrest at Knights Inn Hotel, St. George, Utah, Nov 20, 2012 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News

Starting in October 2021, detectives gathered evidence to suggest Wallin allegedly was involved in the sale of heroin. He was formally charged with three first-degree felony counts of distribute/offer/arrange distribution of a controlled substance.

The charges were enhanced to a first-degree felony based on Wallin’s criminal history comprised of multiple drug-related cases and convictions dating back more than 10 years. Detectives also requested the defendant be held without bail – a request that was approved by District Judge G. Michael Westfall on Tuesday.

Wallin was scheduled to make an initial appearance on all four cases on Wednesday and remains in custody without bail.

This report is based on statements from court records, police or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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