Paradise man arrested for reckless driving after causing accident

CHICO, California — A Paradise man was arrested for reckless driving after causing a crash in Chico on September 18.

The Chico Police Department (CPD) reported that a motorcycle officer was alerted to speeding in the East 8th Street area when he noticed a Mercedes driving too fast.

The officer attempted to stop the car, but the driver, later identified as Michael Ames, 34, of Paradise, made two reckless turns and ran a stop sign, causing an accident.

According to police, Ames attempted to leave the scene of the accident but was arrested without incident. It turned out he was driving without a license.

The CPD officer said a loaded firearm was found in Ames' car inside a leather motorcycle vest.

Ames was arrested and booked into the Butte County Jail for reckless driving, possession of a concealed loaded firearm and driving without a license. His car was impounded for 30 days.

The driver of the other car was not injured.