The former Fort Campbell soldier who injured Christian County Sheriff Tyler DeArmond and Deputy Constable Johnny Colon during a pursuit of a motorcycle in August of last year will only have to spend 60 days in jail as part of a pre-trial felony diversion agreement.
Kentucky State Police pursued a speeding motorcycle on the Pennyrile Parkway on August 2, 2019 and the pursuit was picked back up by the Christian County Sheriff’s Office after the trooper lost sight of 23-year old Jack Kao and his motorcycle as he exited the parkway and made several turns.
Sheriff DeArmond stopped his police vehicle on Old Madisonville Road in an attempt to bring the pursuit to an end and was pinned between his door and the vehicle when Kao struck the door. The sherff was treated at Jennie Stuart Medical Center for minor injuries.
The pursuit came to an end when Kao’s bike collided with the front of Deputy Constable Johnny Colon’s stopped cruiser on Madisonville Road.
Kao was ejected from his motorcycle and had to be flown to Skyline Medical Center in Nashville for leg injuries. Deputy Constable Colon was checked out at Jennie Stuart.
Kao appeared for final sentencing Wednesday after a plea deal was reached that requires him to serve 60 days in jail. He must also complete Veteran’s Court and not commit any new crimes while on the diversion.
Judge Atkins agreed to adhere to the deal, but told Kao about the pursuit Tuesday when a local deputy was hit in the same location and injured by a motorcycle driven by a McLean County man who was being pursued.
The judge told Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Jerad Smith that he’s unlikely to be agreeable to diversion for suspects who injure deputies in the future.
Smith said the Commonwealth spoke to the sheriff’s office before agreeing to a deal.
Judge Atkins told Kao the deal for diversion is an opportunity to complete the process without a felony on his record.
Kao was charged with wanton endangerment, fleeing or evading police and other counts related to the pursuit.
Judge Atkins ordered him to turn himself in at the Christian County Jail by 5 p.m.
