Newly released dashcam video showed the moment a speeding Orange County Sheriff’s Department patrol vehicle slammed into a car occupied by a couple out for a date night in Santa Ana.

A civil trial is expected to start next month, nearly three years after the crash that left the Garden Grove couple, described by their attorney as high school sweethearts, seriously injured. The Dec. 29, 2023 crash marked a significant turning point in the lives of 28-year-old Megan Doan and 27-year-old Jan Tan, their attorney said.

“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,” said attorney Robert Glassman. “It’s turned their lives upside down.”

Video from the patrol vehicle dashcam submitted to the Orange County Superior Court ahead of the civil trial showed the vehicle traveling 65 mph and speeding past other vehicles on 17th Street before the crash. Security camera video from a Target store showed the couple’s car with its turn signal on turning left into the store parking lot when it was hit.

Court documents said Doan and Tan suffered multiple injuries, including bone fractures and permanent nerve damage.

In video of his deposition submitted to the court, Deputy Jeremiah Peyus was questioned by the couple’s attorney and said he was not involved in a pursuit at the time. The patrol vehicle lights and sirens were not on, according to statements in the deposition.

Peyus’ patrol partner testified that they were planning to get something to eat.

Santa Ana police investigated the crash and determined Peyus was at fault with unsafe speed being the primary cause of the collision. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office said the case was never submitted to them because there was no allegation of a crime.

Peyus was never arrested or charged in connection with the crash. He remains an Orange County Sheriff’s Department employee, the agency said.

The legal counsel for the county that represents the deputy said it could not comment because of pending litigation.