BUTTE COUNTY, CA (MPG) - At a sentencing hearing yesterday in Butte County Superior Court, Daniel Mason Clark, 49, of Chico, was sentenced to a two-year term of probation for his bizarre assault with his truck on an unsuspecting pedestrian in Chico.

Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said the incident occurred on April 15, 2023, near the Esplanade and Lassen Avenue when Clark intentionally turned his Ford Ranger truck into a 39-year-old male pedestrian walking on the sidewalk alongside the Esplanade. The victim suffered minor injuries to his right foot.  Clark then armed himself with a chain and rocks and continued to pursue the victim on foot before Chico police arrived and arrested Clark.  Clark told police he was seeking revenge on the victim for an alleged prior incident at a recent party.  The victim informed officers he had never met Clark before.

At the sentencing hearing, Clark’s attorney said Clark had been struggling with recent mental health and substance abuse issues before the incident. Evidence was presented of attempts by Clark to address his then rapidly declining mental state by him contacting local emergency services for a psychiatric evaluation.

Butte County Superior Court Judge Corie Caraway granted Clark a two-year term of probation citing Clark’s lack of any criminal history and recent mental health challenges. In exchange, Clark agreed to waive his 264 days of custody credits for his time in custody since he was arrested on April 15, 2023, and stipulated that should he violate his probation he would receive an upper term of four years in prison.

As part of his probation, Clark was ordered to a residential treatment program to complete psychiatric testing and treatment.

Ramsey said the Department of Motor Vehicles will be notified of the conviction which will cause a lifetime revocation of Clark’s driving privileges.