Man sentenced for hit-and-run that killed child

Sturgis-area resident Daniel Silich was sentenced Monday to between nine and 15 years in prison after pleading no contest to manslaughter with a motor vehicle last year.

Silich, 43, was driving a vehicle that struck three children in April 2021 on Ralston Road in Branch County’s Sherwood Township.

Landen Risner, 13, died from head injuries after he was airlifted from the scene.

Silich will serve a consecutive four to 10 years after he also pleaded no contest to tampering with evidence.

He was sentenced in Branch County Circuit Court. Judge Bill O’Grady said Silich showed great callousness in fleeing and attempting to hide the evidence after he struck Risner and siblings.