COLDWATER – A Sturgis man is charged with second degree murder in the death of a Sherwood Township boy.
Branch County District Court officials say 42 year old Daniel Silich was arraigned Wednesday morning on the charges related to a hit and run incident that injured three siblings as they were riding their bikes. In addition to the felony second degree murder charge, Silich is also facing six other felony charges of manslaughter with a motor vehicle; failure to stop at the scene of an accident when at fault resulting in death; reckless driving causing death; tampering with evidence; failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in serious impairment or death and reckless driving causing serious impairment of a body function.
Silich is also charged with four misdemeanor counts of failure to stop at the scene of a personal injury accident; using methamphetamine; using Fentanyl and operating without a license. Michigan State Police were called to Ralston Road near Arney Road on April 5 to investigate a hit and run incident. Witnesses say a silver Chevy Equinox was driving south on Ralston Road when it went off the road and struck two brothers and their sister. The vehicle then drove away. 14 year old Landen Risner was flown to a Kalamazoo hospital where he later died from his injuries. His 7 year old brother Roman was taken to ProMedica Coldwater Regional Hospital with a broken leg. 14 year old Elizabeth Risner was treated for minor injuries.
Thanks to a citizen's tip, Troopers found the vehicle at a residence on Hackman Road in Burr Oak Township the next day. Police later located Silich, who cooperated with the investigation. During the arraignment, Branch County Prosecutor Zach Stempien says that Silich told Troopers that he fell asleep while driving and didn't realize he had struck the children. Silich says after stopping the vehicle, he left the area because he was afraid of going to jail.
Silich is being held in the Branch County Jail on a $500,000 bond. He is scheduled to have a probable cause hearing May 13 and a preliminary examination on May 19.
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