Sentencing of Man for Possession of Stolen Vehicle and Reckless Driving

District Attorney's Office Announces Sentencing of Man on Charges of Possession of Stolen Vehicle and Reckless Driving

The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office announced today the sentencing of a Carson City man to a maximum term in prison for charges of Possession of a Stolen Vehicle and Reckless Driving Resulting in Death or Substantial Bodily Harm.

Jerry William Ruch, 43 (DOB 4/29/72) from Carson City, Nevada was sentenced to a maximum term of 11 years in prison by District Judge Janet Berry for his driving of a stolen motor vehicle and reckless fleeing from law enforcement, which resulted in a substantial automobile collision with another vehicle.

This case began on August 11, 2014 when Ruch was observed violating traffic laws by a Washoe County Sheriff’s Deputy.  Ruch was driving a stolen Ford Mustang and fled from law enforcement prior to the Deputy attempting a traffic stop. Within seconds, Ruch crashed into another vehicle at the intersection of 1^st and Vine Street near downtown Reno. A male passenger inside the stolen vehicle driven by Ruch was seriously injured and hospitalized, where he spent 2 weeks in a coma before making a partial recovery.  Ruch and the driver of the vehicle he crashed into received minor injuries.

Ruch previously pled guilty in the case and was sentenced yesterday to the maximum term for the two charges of 11 years in prison.  He will be eligible for parole after 4 years, 3 months.