Escondido officer avoids trial after deadly on-duty crash kills cyclist
An Escondido police officer charged with vehicular manslaughter received misdemeanor diversion Friday. The case may be dismissed after 18 months if program terms are met.
Escondido officer granted diversion in fatal pursuit crash
An Escondido police officer charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter over an on-duty collision that killed a man last year was granted misdemeanor diversion on Friday, nbcsandiego.com reports.
Jason Ingco, 36, faces no immediate conviction under the arrangement. If he successfully completes the terms of a diversion programme over the next 18 months, the case could be dismissed entirely.
Conditions imposed Friday include completion of a defensive driving course, counselling covering anger management and emotional control, and 150 hours of volunteer work.
The charge stems from an Aug. 21, 2025 collision that killed Jacob Illian, 39, during a pursuit. Defence attorney Vishad Dewan argued that Illian had failed to yield to traffic signals while riding an e-bike, prompting Ingco to attempt a stop. When Illian fled, the pursuit moved onto a creek trail between North Midway Drive and North Citrus Avenue. There, Ingco tried to pass Illian, who "veered and contacted with" the patrol vehicle, ejecting Illian from his bike.
Deputy District Attorney Vincent Chen offered a different account, alleging that Ingco's car struck Illian during what he called an "ill-advised" attempt to overtake him. No surveillance footage captured the crash, but body-worn camera footage showed Ingco steering to the side during the manoeuvre, according to the prosecutor.
Ingco is the second San Diego County law enforcement officer in the past month to receive misdemeanor diversion for a deadly on-duty crash. Last month, Chula Vista police officer Johan Jacobo — also represented by Dewan — was granted diversion after being charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter for turning left against a red arrow and striking a motorcyclist. Jacobo's terms include 150 hours of volunteer work, a defensive driving course, restitution payments, 20 therapy sessions, and a public apology letter to the victim's family, to be completed within a 24-month diversion period.
Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)