Leonel Tinoco Killed, Michael Lee Arrested Following DUI 2-Car Crash on West Stowell Road [Santa Maria, CA]

Leonel Tinoco Dead, Michael Lee Detained Following Two-Vehicle DUI Collision on West Stowell Road Near South Blosser Road

 
SANTA MARIA, CA (February 14, 2020)—A 37-year-old man died in a Feb. 7 DUI accident on West Stowell Road near South Blosser Road.
 
The two-vehicle collision turned fatal around 1:19 a.m. that Friday.
 
According to Santa Maria Police Lt. Russell Mengel, officials identified the fatal victim as Leonel Tinoco.
 
Investigators believe the 37-year-old Santa Maria man was at the wheel of a Nissan sports car, heading eastbound on West Stowell Road.
 
At some point, Tinoco’s Nissan struck a nearby light pole and came to a halt between South Blosser Road and Hanson Way. Seconds later, an eastbound Acura broadsided the Nissan sports vehicle, causing fatal injuries to Tinoco.
 
Arriving officers located Tinoco, as well as the Acura driver, identified as 25-year-old Michael Anthony Lee.
 
At first, according to a preliminary investigation, Lee demonstrated signs of intoxication.
 
This led officers to then book him into Santa Barbara County jail with a bail set at $100,000. Paramedics also transported him to Marian Regional Medical Center for treatment of his minor injuries.
 
Authorities confirmed that intoxication played a role in both drivers’ part; however, officials plan to seek the speed in which both drivers had been going and other outstanding factors that could determine the liabilities.
 
The Tinoco family has created a GoFundMe page to raise help and awareness.

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To the family and friends learning about this devastating news of Leonel Tinoco, we’d like to send our sympathies to you.

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