San Luis Obispo man convicted of DUI, reckless driving, hit and run
Ryan James Johnson, 48.
– A San Luis Obispo County jury has convicted Ryan James Johnson, 48, of San Luis Obispo, of felony driving under the influence of drugs causing great bodily injury, reckless driving causing great bodily injury, hit and run causing great bodily injury and property damage, and driving on a suspended license, District Attorney Dan Dow announced Thursday.
In a separate court trial after the jury verdict, Superior Court Judge Crystal Tindell Seiler found that Johnson was previously convicted of four serious or violent felonies that qualify as strikes under California’s Three Strikes Law. The prior convictions include two counts of robbery where a co-defendant was armed with a firearm, residential burglary, and conspiracy to commit robbery.
During the trial, jurors heard evidence that on Dec. 27, 2023, Johnson, who was under the influence of methamphetamine and marijuana, drove southbound on Highway 101 through San Luis Obispo. At the time, Johnson did not have a valid driver’s license because it had been suspended years earlier for a prior DUI conviction.
Near the Marsh Street exit, Johnson abruptly turned his car around and began driving northbound against traffic. He drove in the emergency lane at speeds of more than 70 miles per hour in heavy traffic. At the Broad Street exit, he slammed head-on into another motorist, causing his car to go airborne and strike a second vehicle.
One victim suffered serious injuries in the head-on collision, and the second victim’s vehicle was badly damaged. Johnson exited his disabled car, discarded two methamphetamine smoking pipes from his pockets, and attempted to flee. Bystanders pointed him out to California Highway Patrol officers, who detained him.
A DUI investigation and forensic blood draw confirmed Johnson was under the influence of methamphetamine and marijuana. He was arrested and taken to a hospital for medical clearance prior to booking. While awaiting clearance, Johnson left the hospital on foot when officers were not in his immediate presence. CHP officers arrested him at his home the next day.
Johnson’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for Nov. 3 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 9 of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, with Judge Seiler presiding. He faces a possible maximum sentence of 31 years and 4 months to life in prison.
The California Highway Patrol investigated the case with assistance from the CHP Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Hunter Starr. Victim and witness assistance was provided by Victim Advocate Aracely Maldonado and Witness Coordinators Eloiza Basinger and Kellie Navarro.
