A pastor in Texas has found himself on the wrong side of the law after allegedly helping conceal a vehicle involved in a fatal hit-and-run that left one man dead earlier this month.

A 46-year-old pedestrian, Brett Wilborn, was killed when he was struck by an SUV that fled the scene, triggering a multi-agency investigation that ultimately led to the arrests of three individuals, including the driver, the passenger, and the pastor who helped hide the vehicle, as The Christian Post reports. 

The deadly incident unfolded on November 9 just after 7 p.m. in Conroe, Texas, when Wilborn tried to cross the 200 block of North Loop 336 East and was hit by a dark SUV that sped away without stopping. Another vehicle struck Wilborn shortly after, but that driver acted lawfully by staying at the scene and calling 911 immediately.

Police Uncover Vehicle in Hidden Garage

First responders arrived quickly, with Conroe Police Department officers, traffic reconstruction experts, and crime scene investigators joined by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. Authorities found Wilborn in the main traffic lanes, but the driver responsible for fleeing had vanished into the night.

In a case that demanded both persistence and tech-savvy footwork, investigators from various Conroe police divisions teamed up with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Real Time Crime Center. Through that cooperation, they managed to track down the suspect vehicle 12 days after the deadly collision.

On November 21, the 2017 burgundy Chevrolet Suburban involved in the initial impact was located inside a closed garage on Phyllis Court. Officers obtained consent to search the property from its legal owner and recovered the hidden SUV.

Driver, Passenger, and Pastor All Arrested

Officials identified the driver as 35-year-old Stephan Santeli Castro, who, despite the name, is not exactly a poster boy for Christian charity. He was charged with failure to stop and render aid—a basic moral obligation that he apparently chose to bypass.

Castro wasn’t alone in the vehicle. The passenger, 61-year-old Angelica Flores, was also arrested, facing charges for failure to report a felony. According to police, both Castro and Flores gave statements at the Conroe Police Department following their arrests.

The twist came days later when authorities zeroed in on a third figure—34-year-old Pastor Juan Murillo Wilson. Rather than preach accountability, Wilson apparently chose to help conceal the SUV after the fatal crash and is now facing a charge of tampering with physical evidence.

Faith Leader Draws Criminal Charge

It turns out even clergymen aren’t exempt from poor judgment. Wilson, who seems to have opted for loyalty over legality, was taken into custody on the Monday following the other two arrests. He, too, gave an interview at the police station.

Authorities say all three arrests were part of a coordinated operation involving multiple law enforcement agencies. Many witnesses were also interviewed, giving investigators a clearer timeline of the events leading to and after Wilborn’s death.

The Conroe Police Department, attempting to reassure a shaken public, stated it “remains committed to completing the investigation and providing closure to Wilborn’s family.” That’s a noble aim—let’s hope the justice system follows through with as much commitment as the man of the cloth had in hiding evidence.

Community Left Wondering Who to Trust

It’s hard not to notice the underlying cultural irony: when local leaders entrusted with spiritual guidance end up washing away crime scenes, people lose more than just faith—they lose trust. Pastors helping cover up fatal accidents doesn’t exactly scream moral backbone.

Though no additional suspects have been identified, the department confirmed that the investigation is ongoing. Whether others will be implicated or more charges filed remains to be seen.

Still, the message from authorities is loud and clear: even those who wear a collar aren’t above the law. And for a community that values personal responsibility and the rule of law, that’s at least one encouraging note in an otherwise tragic story.