BEXAR COUNTY, Texas – According to Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, a brand-new friendship between two men laid the groundwork for late-night racing and, days later, an arrest.
During a Tuesday morning news conference, the sheriff said Cyrus Jason Eckman, the 26-year-old driver of a BMW motorcycle, was arrested without incident Tuesday morning in Cibolo. His motorcycle, which had no license plates, was also seized.
Eckman, according to Salazar, is facing a litany of charges, including aggravated assault of a public servant (first-degree felony) and evading arrest with a vehicle (third-degree felony). The sheriff also alleged that Eckman was “most likely intoxicated” at the time of the incident.
“This is just clearly somebody that’s got no regard for (the) safety of anybody in the community,” Salazar said. “We’re super happy to make this arrest.”
A budding friendship
Salazar said Eckman and a 21-year-old man — who was not identified during the news conference — were “partying” and watching World Cup soccer at a local bar. The two became fast friends, according to the sheriff.
“Apparently, they both have a lot of stuff in common,” Salazar said.
According to dashcam video from a BCSO patrol vehicle, a deputy witnessed a motorcycle (driven by Eckman) and a vehicle (driven by the 21-year-old man) at approximately midnight on June 18 racing along Loop 410 eastbound towards U.S. Highway 281. Both men were traveling at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour.
While the deputy attempted to catch up with the men, Eckman allegedly blocked the deputy from getting close to the 21-year-old’s vehicle.
While on the motorcycle, Salazar said Eckman turned around and flipped off the pursuing sheriff’s deputy. When the deputy passed Eckman, the sheriff said the suspect rammed his motorcycle into the BCSO vehicle and caused a “decent-sized hole.”
The collision caused the deputy to pull their patrol vehicle over on the shoulder of Loop 410 and end BCSO’s pursuit. Eckman and the 21-year-old man sped away.
Tracking down Eckman
Salazar said deputies later learned the 21-year-old man “totaled his car” in a crash that San Antonio police officers investigated minutes after he fled the pursuit.
“It’s possible he (the 21-year-old) may be facing additional charges later on down the road, either from us or from SAPD,” Salazar said.
Over the weekend, BCSO tracked down the 21-year-old man, who gave investigators enough information that led them to Eckman.
According to Salazar, deputies also cross-referenced motorcycle information with BMW. The company confirmed to BCSO that Eckman was one of the people who purchased the specific brand of motorcycle involved in this case.
In addition to aggravated assault of a public servant and evading arrest, Eckman is also facing the following charges:
- criminal mischief between $2,500 and $30,000 (state jail felony)
- interfering with the investigation of a highway race or reckless driving (Class B misdemeanor)
- collision involving damage to a vehicle of $200 or more (Class B misdemeanor)
- racing on a highway (Class B misdemeanor)
A combined bond has yet to be set for all six charges.