CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A wanted parolee has been taken into custody after he allegedly used his vehicle early Sunday morning to assault and seriously injure a Clearlake Police officer.
Daniel York, 53, was arrested several hours after he allegedly injured the officer, whose name police did not release on Sunday afternoon due to privacy reasons.
Clearlake Police Sgt. Tim Hobbs said that at approximately 4:30 a.m. Sunday two Clearlake Police officers were on patrol together in a marked police vehicle when they attempted to make a traffic stop on a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe on Lakeshore Drive near Redbud Park for a minor traffic violation.
The vehicle, driven by York, pulled into the park and stopped near several parked vehicles, Hobbs said.
A passenger identified as Katherine Jackson, 32, exited the vehicle and began running away, which prompted the officer that was in the passenger seat of the patrol vehicle to begin chasing after Jackson on foot, Hobbs said.
York then allegedly put the vehicle in reverse, accelerated and struck the officer, pinning him in between the Tahoe and a parked Ford F-250 that was in the parking lot for a fishing tournament, according to Hobbs.
Hobbs said the F-250 was struck by the Tahoe with enough force that it moved several feet and collided into another parked pickup truck.
The Tahoe then fled the scene at a high rate of speed. Jackson, who had stopped running a short distance away, was detained by the injured officer’s partner, Hobbs said.
The officer who was stuck by the vehicle suffered serious injuries. Hobbs said the officer who was driving the patrol car stayed with the injured officer to render medical aid after quickly detaining Jackson.
Medical personnel from Lake County Fire Protection responded to the scene and prepared the officer for transport by air ambulance. A short time later the officer was flown from Redbud Park by REACH 6 to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, Hobbs said.
Hobbs said the injured officer currently is in stable condition after sustaining numerous fractured ribs, a fractured spine, and major head and neck lacerations.
The Tahoe later found and secured by a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy who had responded to that location after it was reported a vehicle had crashed into a tree at the intersection of Lasky and West 40th avenues. Hobbs said the deputy secured the scene until Clearlake Police personnel who were off duty were able to respond and secure the vehicle, pending the issuance of a search warrant.
During the investigation information was developed that York was on active parole and had an outstanding parole warrant for his arrest. Hobbs said it was learned York was possibly at a residence in the 4700 block of West 40th Avenue.
At approximately 8:45 a.m., Clearlake Police officers – including police K9s Dex and Harley – arrived at the location. Hobbs said York immediately tried to flee out the back of the residence and quickly went back inside after K9 Harley was deployed and began running toward him.
Once inside the residence York attempted to hide in the residence's second story loft. Hobbs said the other officers at the front of the residence made entry and gave York commands to come out of the loft.
Hobbs said York refused to come out and K9 Dex was deployed into the loft. Dex quickly located York and apprehended him biting him on the left arm. York was then placed under arrest.
York was identified in an infield lineup as the driver of the Tahoe that struck the officer by the partner of the injured officer and one other witness, Hobbs said.
York was then transported to St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake by Lake County Fire Protection District personnel. As of the time of Hobbs' report Sunday afternoon, York was still being treated for injuries he sustained from K9 Dex.
A joint investigation by the Clearlake Police Department with the assistance of the Lake County District Attorney’s Office and the California Highway Patrol currently is being conducted, Hobbs said.
York currently is being held on a no-bail parole warrant and charges stemming from this investigation are pending, Hobbs said.
Hobbs asked that anyone with information about the incident contact Det. Ryan Peterson at 707-994-8251, Extension 320.
He said the Clearlake Police Department offered its thanks to the Lake County District Attorney’s
Office, the California Highway Patrol and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance with the case.
The Clearlake Police Department also offered special thanks to the Lake County Fire Protection District for that agency's quick response and actions to insure the injured officer was treated in a professional and timely manner, according to Hobbs.
“Our thoughts and prayer are with the officer and his family,” Hobbs said.