Former Signal Hill Police Officer Accused In OC Road Rage Incident

SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com) — A former Signal Hill Police Department officer was arrested Friday in connection with a road rage incident in Orange County.

Jacob Emory Swigger, 39, of Lake Forest, was charged with a felony count each of excessive force by a police officer and assault with a firearm, Orange County District Attorney's officials said.

Authorities say at about 7 a.m. on Nov. 20, Swigger was on his way to his job with the Signal Hill Police Department, dressed in civilian clothing and driving his personal vehicle, when 50-year-old John Doe changed lanes in front of him as they drove northbound on the Santa Ana (5) Freeway near the Bake Parkway exit. Swigger allegedly honked and drove after John Doe for about a mile and a half.

Prosecutors say Swigger drove up alongside John Doe's vehicle and suddenly swerved his car directly in front of John Doe, forcing him to come to a complete stop. Swigger allegedly jumped out of his vehicle in the middle of the freeway, during rush hour traffic and approached John Doe while pointing a gun at him, identified himself as a police officer and ordered him out of the car.

When the unidentified motorist did not immediately get out of his car, Swigger allegedly opened the car door and pulled him out and dropped him on the ground. Prosecutors say Swigger repeatedly slammed the man against his own car, put a gun to his head, then dragged him behind the vehicle in the middle of traffic.

Several passing motorists called 911 and reported the attack, prosecutors said. California Highway Patrol officers arrived on the scene and contacted Swigger, who is no longer employed by the Signal Hill Police Department.

Swigger, who is out of custody on $50,000 bail, is scheduled to be arraigned on March 30. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of four years in state prison.