The following is a press release from the Ukiah Police Department. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:
On 5/13/2024 at approximately 9:53 pm, Ukiah Police Department (UPD) Officers were advised by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) of a report of a suspicious vehicle. The driver was reported to be honking the horn, revving the engine, and acting erratic in the Vichy Springs area. The license plate provided to MCSO Dispatch came back as a reported stolen vehicle out of the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD). MCSO Dispatch advised that the vehicle was a white, 2007 Honda Accord.
A UPD Officer was traveling eastbound in the 700 block of East Perkins Street and observed a white Honda Accord matching the description that was traveling westbound. The officer turned around and attempted to catch up to the Honda. The driver, later identified as Daniel Risch, began to accelerate to a high rate of speed. Risch then failed to stop at multiple intersections and continued westbound on East Perkins Street, reaching speeds of over 80 miles per hour where the posted speed limit was 30 miles per hour.
Risch continued westbound on East Perkins Street through the downtown area of Ukiah as a vehicle pursuit was initiated by the UPD Officer (Emergency lights and sirens activated) due to the multiple vehicle code violations. Risch showed a wanted disregard for the public and maintained an extremely high rate of speed through the downtown area and into the westside area of Ukiah. Risch continued to fail to stop at intersections and was estimated to be traveling at approximately 90-100 miles per hour through the residential neighborhood. The UPD Officer in pursuit determined that it was unsafe to follow Risch at his speed, as the speed was dangerous and unsafe to the public. The UPD Officer slowed her speed and maintained a large distance behind Risch. Risch continued to drive at an unsafe speed and was able to increase the distance between his vehicle and the officer’s vehicle. Risch approached the intersection of West Perkins Street and Highland Avenue and crashed through a concrete retaining wall, into the side of a residence, and struck a parked vehicle in the driveway. Risch caused moderate damage to the residence that he collided with. The owners of the residence were not injured.
Risch was the only occupant in the fleeing vehicle and was determined to be on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) Probation out of Sonoma County. Risch sustained major injuries from the crash and had to be removed from the vehicle by UPD Officers and emergency personnel. Risch was transported to a medical facility, and he was eventually admitted to the medical facility for further treatment of his major injuries.
Risch PRCS Probation was for a previous violation of 666.5(a) of the California Penal Code- Repeat offenses of auto theft. Risch’s case is actively being investigated by the UPD Patrol Division, UPD Detective Bureau and the charges listed above will be submitted to the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution of Risch.
The Ukiah Police Department would like to thank the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office and the Ukiah Valley Fire Authority for their assistance with this investigation.
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