Dashcam footage shows Orange County deputy Jeremiah Peyus driving about 65 mph on 17th Street before his patrol car struck a vehicle carrying Megan Doan and Jan Tan on Dec. 29, 2023. The couple suffered multiple broken bones and reported permanent nerve damage. Santa Ana police found unsafe speed was the primary cause, but the Orange County DA said no criminal case was filed because the matter was never presented as an alleged crime. The civil lawsuit (Case No. 30-2024-01391609-CU-PA-NJC) is headed toward trial after the Board of Supervisors declined a settlement in April 2025.
Dashcam Shows Deputy Driving 65 MPH Before Patrol Car Struck Young Couple; Lawsuit Heads to Trial
Image Credit: NBC Los Angeles / YouTube.
Newly released dashcam footage in Orange County reveals a sheriff's deputy driving at roughly 65 mph along 17th Street in Santa Ana shortly before his patrol vehicle collided with a car carrying Megan Doan and Jan Tan on the evening of Dec. 29, 2023. The couple — described by their attorney as high school sweethearts — suffered serious injuries, including multiple broken bones and reported permanent nerve damage.
What the Video Shows
Court filings include dashcam video that shows Deputy Jeremiah Peyus' patrol car passing other traffic at high speed moments before the impact. Security camera footage from a nearby Target captures the other angle: Doan and Tan's vehicle signaling a left turn into the store parking lot when the patrol vehicle strikes it.
Officer Actions and Testimony
Depositions and testimony submitted to Orange County Superior Court indicate Peyus was not engaged in a pursuit and that his emergency lights and siren were not activated at the time of the crash. Peyus' partner testified the deputies had been planning to get something to eat. Santa Ana police investigated and identified unsafe speed as the primary cause, finding Peyus at fault.
"Due to the negligence of an on-duty deputy, they found themselves spending New Year's Eve at the hospital with multiple broken bones, surgical procedures. It's turned their lives upside down," said the couple's attorney, Robert Glassman.
Legal Status
The couple filed a civil lawsuit against Orange County, recorded in county public records as Megan Doan, et al. v. County of Orange, et al., Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2024-01391609-CU-PA-NJC. The Orange County Board of Supervisors reviewed the matter in closed session in April 2025 and rejected the plaintiffs' settlement offer under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 998. Video of Peyus' deposition is part of the court record.
There has been no criminal prosecution. The Orange County District Attorney's Office told reporters the matter was never submitted to prosecutors because it was not presented as an alleged crime. According to the sheriff's department, Peyus was not arrested or charged and remains employed by the agency. County attorneys declined to comment, citing pending litigation.
Public Reaction
The released footage drew strong reactions online, with commenters criticizing the officer's continued employment and questioning why the incident did not lead to criminal charges. Some focused on the speed shown in the footage; others expressed sympathy for the injured couple.
Note: Doan and Tan's claims remain civil allegations that have not yet been resolved at trial.
Help us improve.
