COLDWATER, MI (WNWN/WTVB) – A Sturgis man who was facing 11 charges in connection with a fatal hit and run crash in northwest Branch County on April 5, 2021 has entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors.
A spokesperson in Branch County Circuit Court says 43-year-old Daniel Gerard Silich entered no contest pleas to charges of Homicide-Manslaughter with a Motor Vehicle, Failure to Stop at the scene of an accident when at fault resulting in death and Tampering with Evidence.
Terms of the plea agreement call for the sentences to be concurrent to the first two counts while the sentencing for the evidence tampering charge will be consecutive to the other two charges.
Eight other counts will be dismissed in exchange for the pleas. Sentencing has been scheduled for May 2.
Silich was charged in connection with the hit and run crash which led to the death of 13-year-old Landen Risner.
The youngster was among three children who were struck while they were riding their bikes in the area of Ralston and Arney Roads near their Sherwood Township home in northwestern Branch County.
Silich was arrested on May 5, 2021 following a Michigan State Police investigation.
