Lang
8/19/22
A Solon drunk driving suspect reportedly tried to destroy evidence in the case by stealing vials of his own blood and destroying them.
Johnson County deputies pulled over a 2020 GMC Sierra K1500 just after 11:00 Thursday night for speeding on Market Street near 3rd Street. The driver, 36-year-old Juan Martinez Lopez of Ely, allegedly showed signs of intoxication, performed poorly on field sobriety tests and refused breath testing. An open tallboy of Bud Light was located in the cup holder. Martinez Lopez has multiple previous drunk driving convictions.
A blood draw was completed at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, but afterward Martinez Lopez reportedly grabbed the vials, fled from police and UIHC staff, then threw the vials and destroyed them. Martinez Lopez next tried to flee from the hospital, but was stopped by a locked door. He was captured, and a new blood draw was taken. Test results from the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation are pending.
Martinez Lopez is charged with Operating While Intoxicated – 3rd or Subsequent Offense, Escape of a Felon, Obstructing Prosecution, Open Container in a Motor Vehicle, and Speeding. If convicted on all charges, he faces a maximum of 17 years in prison.
