LUBBOCK, Texas — Eloy Salas, 34, of Lubbock was sentenced to 35 years in prison Friday morning. He was convicted by a jury on Wednesday for evading in a motor vehicle with the jury finding the vehicle was used as a deadly weapon.
At trial, there was evidence that Salas caused a 6-vehicle pileup on Interstate 27 while trying to get away from Lubbock Police. The incident was in July 2016.
One woman was suffered potentially life-threatening injuries. There was evidence that she also suffered excruciating pain.
There was also testimony at the trial that he picked up a police dog and slammed it to the ground.
Salas must serve more than half of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.
Related Story: Man found guilty after 6-vehicle pileup in Lubbock during police chase
The office of Lubbock County District Attorney released the following statement:
On July 4th, 2016, a concerned citizen reported a man, Eloy Salas Jr., assaulting a woman in the Whataburger parking lot. Officers arrived in the area and attempted to detain the defendant to investigate the assault. The defendant refused to pull over and led officers on a high speed pursuit through residential areas.
Police ended the pursuit as it neared I-27 and 19th street due to heavy Fourth of July traffic. However, the defendant continued at a high rate of speed onto the interstate where he then caused a multi-vehicle crash. The defendant exited his vehicle and fled on foot into the depot district, where he was ultimately taken into custody after slamming a police K9 to the ground.
Earlier this week, a Lubbock County jury returned a guilty verdict with a deadly weapon finding in 12 minutes. The Court then heard testimony from victims about the injuries sustained from the defendant’s actions. Today, after hearing that testimony, Judge Eichman sentenced the defendant to 35 years TDCJ. He will have to serve half of his time before he is eligible for parole.
The case was investigated by The Lubbock Police Department and prosecuted by Cassie Nesbitt, Ginny Simpson and Erin VanPelt along with DA investigator Nick Simpson. “We hope the prosecution of this case helps the victims find closure and reminds the citizens of Lubbock County that actions have consequences.”
