Suspect in Salem DoorDash Attack Arrested in Bakersfield After Two-Day Manhunt

SALEM, OR — A violent multi-state search concluded late Thursday night when California authorities apprehended 62-year-old Daniel Ray Myers, the man accused of a brutal stabbing and attempted sexual assault of a co-worker during a DoorDash delivery shift earlier this week.

The Arrest in Bakersfield

According to the Salem Police Department, Myers was located and taken into custody around 8:00 p.m. on February 12 in Bakersfield, California. The arrest ends a high-priority manhunt that began in the Willamette Valley and spanned over 700 miles.

Myers was sought on warrants for attempted murder and first-degree sexual assault. As of Friday morning, Salem detectives are working with California law enforcement to coordinate his extradition back to Oregon.

Details of the Violent Encounter

The incident, which investigators have described as a harrowing “nightmare scenario,” began on the evening of Tuesday, February 10.

The victim, a woman who worked alongside Myers as a delivery driver for DoorDash, told police they were making rounds together in West Salem. According to court documents and police statements:

• The Diversion: Myers allegedly drove the vehicle to a secluded, wooded area under the guise of a break or a navigational error.
• The Assault: Once isolated, Myers reportedly made unwanted sexual advances. When the victim resisted, the situation turned violent. Myers is accused of attempting to sexually assault the woman before stabbing her multiple times.
• The Captivity: Police report that Myers kept the victim trapped in the vehicle for a significant period following the stabbing, preventing her from seeking help as she bled from her injuries.

A Brave Escape at Walgreens

The victim’s survival is being credited to her quick thinking and composure under extreme duress. She reportedly convinced Myers that her injuries were so severe she needed medical supplies to avoid “making a mess” in the car or passing out.

Myers drove her to a Walgreens in Keizer, located on River Road North. Once inside the store around 9:00 p.m., the victim immediately alerted staff that she had been attacked and held captive. Store employees called 911 while Myers, realizing the authorities were being summoned, fled the parking lot in his silver Honda Civic.

When Keizer Police and EMTs arrived, they found the woman with several non-life-threatening stab wounds. She was rushed to a local hospital, treated, and has since been released to recover at home.

The Investigation and DoorDash Response

Salem Police Sgt. Jonathan Hardy noted that the two were “co-workers” in the sense that they were sharing a vehicle to fulfill DoorDash orders, a common practice among some gig workers to save on fuel and increase efficiency.

DoorDash released a statement following the arrest, expressing horror at the nature of the crime:

“The details of this attack are absolutely devastating. We have permanently banned the individual involved from our platform and are in full cooperation with the Salem Police Department to ensure justice is served for the victim.”

Timeline of Events: February 2026

Next Steps for the Case

Daniel Ray Myers remains held in a Kern County, California, jail pending his return to Marion County, Oregon. Prosecutors are expected to seek a high bail, citing the premeditated nature of the diversion to a secluded area and the extreme violence involved.

The Salem Police Department is asking anyone who may have seen Myers’ silver Honda Civic (Oregon Plate: 241NGP) between Tuesday night and Thursday night to contact their tip line.

Would you like me to track the upcoming court dates for Myers’ first appearance in Oregon?