PORT ANGELES — The trial of a man accused of being under the influence of drugs and causing a collision on U.S. Highway 101 that killed three men in August 2005 has been postponed until fall.
Michael John Jones, 49, of Port Angeles is accused of being under the influence of methadone and other drugs when his station wagon crossed the centerline above the Morse Creek “S” curve west of Deer Park Road and hit a pickup truck driven by Ian Rolley and causing it to roll into oncoming traffic.
Also killed were passengers Jeremy Rolley, 21, and J.J. Brewer, 21.
All three men were residents of Port Angeles.
Jones was charged with three counts of vehicular homicide. He has pleaded not guilty.
‘Complicated’ case
Jones’ new trial date is Oct. 9, said public defender John Hayden, Jones’ attorney.
“It’s a pretty complicated case,” Hayden said.
He requested additional time to prepare because of the complex nature of the evidence — such as blood tests — and also because Clallam Public Defenders, the organization that contracts with the county to provide legal defense for poor people, has been busy.
“There’s a lot of things we’re dealing with, as we always have, we’re trying a lot of cases,” Hayden said.
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