Booking Photo (07/03/2021) Christopher Thomas Winters (DOB 07/14/1988) Guilty
Booking Photo (07/03/2021) Christopher Thomas Winters (DOB 07/14/1988) Guilty

Jury Convicts Christopher Thomas Winters of Felony Hit and Run Resulting in Death

Author: District Attorney
Date: 3/28/2024 10:44 AM

District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that a San Luis Obispo County jury has found Christopher Thomas Winters (35) of Paso Robles guilty of felony hit and run resulting in death.

District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that a San Luis Obispo County jury has found Christopher Thomas Winters (DOB 07/14/1988) guilty of felony hit and run causing death.   

During the week-long trial, jurors heard evidence that shortly after 1:30 a.m. on July 3, 2021, 22-year-old Steve Leon was struck by a vehicle on Meadowlark Road in Paso Robles.  After being struck, Mr. Leon, who was on the roadway, was run over by Winters who fled the scene. 

Eyewitness testimony established that Mr. Leon was alive when he was run over by Winters.  About ten minutes before the crime, Winters was caught on video leaving Pine Street Saloon, where he is believed to have been drinking with friends.  The driver of the first vehicle that struck Mr. Leon was never identified.

Winters faces a maximum of four years in state prison at his sentencing hearing scheduled for April 23, 2024, in Department 6 of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, the Honorable Michael S. Frye presiding.

The case was investigated by the Paso Robles Police Department  with the assistance of Senior Investigator Bryce Lickness with the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation.  The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Ashley Cevera.

Here is a copy of the charging document.  Here is a copy of the defendant’s booking photo.

Please contact Assistant District Attorney Eric J. Dobroth at 805.781.5819 with any questions.        

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