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LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. – The Winchester man who is responsible for the death of a California Highway Patrol Sergeant has been formally charged today with murder.

District Attorney’s officials said that on April 10, 2019, the Riverside County DA’s office filed a single count of murder against Joseph Callahan, 36, for the death of CHP Sgt. Steve Licon. This charge is in addition to the second-degree murder charge which he is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on today. If convicted as charges, he faces up to 15 years to life in prison.

On April 6, 2019, Sgt. Licon pulled a 2017 Chrysler 300 over for a traffic violation. While on the shoulder, he was struck by the vehicle driven by Callahan. “The defendant’s car was traveling along the right shoulder, not in the designated freeway lanes,” said the DA office in a news release. “Sgt. Licon was transported by medical helicopter to Inland Valley Medical Center in nearby Wildomar but died from his injuries. He was a 27-year veteran of the California Highway Patrol.”

It was later determined that Callahan was driving under the influence of alcohol.The DA’s Office will not be releasing any details as to the alleged level of intoxication at this time. The defendant is being charged with murder based, in part, on a 2004 misdemeanor DUI conviction he received in Orange County. In that case, he was convicted of Vehicle Code section 23152(b) and sentenced to three years of summary probation. As a condition of probation, the defendant was required to attend MADD classes, during which he was educated about the dangers of drinking and driving.

This case, SWF1907727, is being prosecuted by Managing Deputy DA Carlos Monagas and Deputy DA Jennifer Garcia.