For Immediate Release: 25-0651, Felony Dui Arrest
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 25-0651, Felony DUI Arrest
On July 20, 2025, at about 11:25 pm, the Paradise Police Department received multiple 911 calls reporting a single vehicle traffic collision near the intersection of Skyway and Pentz Rd.
When officers responded to the scene, they found a single vehicle with significant damage. It was determined the vehicle had three occupants - a man, a woman, and a 10-year-old child. All three had injuries requiring them to be transported to Enloe Hospital by ambulance. Due to the size of the collision scene and an officer already at the Butte County Jail booking a DUI driver, the Chico Police Department assisted by meeting the ambulances at Enloe Hospital until Paradise officers were available to respond.
Once Paradise officers were able to respond to the hospital, they continued their investigation. It was learned that the male, Devrick Ward, was the driver of the vehicle. Ward was also found to be highly intoxicated. After Ward was placed under arrest for being the driver in a DUI crash which resulted in injuries to others and child endangerment, he refused to comply with his legal obligation to provide a chemical sample. A search warrant was obtained for a blood sample. While executing the search warrant, Ward became physically aggressive with officers and attempted to disarm an officer of his baton.
Officers obtained a statement from the female passenger, who said she was in a long-term dating relationship. The female also told officers that Ward had punched her in the face when she began pleading for him to stop the vehicle and allow the two passengers to exit prior to the collision. This caused significant swelling to the female's face. Ward was also found to be on felony probation, which was transferred to Butte County from the State of Texas for being a felon in possession of firearms.
Once Ward was medically treated and discharged from Enloe Hospital, he was transported to the Butte County Jail and booked for the following charges:
23153(a) CVC - DUI causing injury to another person
23152(b) CVC - Causing injury to another person with a BAC above 0.08%
273a(a) PC - Child endangerment likely to cause great bodily injury or death
69(a) PC - Resist or obstruct a peace officer
148(b) PC - Remove weapon from a peace officer
273.5(a) PC - Domestic violence
1203.2(a) PC - Violation of probation
Ward's bail for this incident is set at $230,000 for the above offenses.
The Paradise Police Department would like to thank our partners at the Chico Police Department, Cal Fire, and Butte EMS for their assistance in this incident.
“Paradise Police is committed to improving the quality of life in our community.”
