A federal judge on Friday partially dismissed the civil rights lawsuit filed by Jose Carlos Escarcega-Ysaias. The judge ruled that Escarcega “take nothing” against Lubbock Police officers Michael Jordan and Tye Edwards.
However, the City of Lubbock was still listed Friday as a defendant in the lawsuit which was filed in December of 2015.
In late July of 2015, Lubbock Police Corporal Ryan Durrett stopped to help Escarcega who appeared to be a stranded motorist. Corporal Durrett discovered that Escarcega was driving a stolen truck.
Escarcega tried to run away, and during the struggle he managed to get into the driver seat of Durrett’s police unit. Durrett was hanging onto the side of the police unit when Escarcega crashed it into a utility pole. Durrett was seriously injured according to statements made by police at the time.
Jordan and Edwards were among the first officers to arrive when Durrett asked for help. They found Escarcega sitting on the ground near Durrett. A police dash cam video showed an officer run up to Escarcega and kick him the face. Several officers were also seen hitting Escarcega in the video.
Jordan was suspended for 30 days, and Edwards was suspended for 16 days.
In late 2015, Durrett sued Escarcega for his injuries. Notice of non-suit was listed in court records mid-December, but Durrett’s notice said he has the right to re-file his lawsuit against Escarcega at a later date.
As of Monday, Escarcega remained in the Lubbock County Detention Center facing several pending charges including aggravated assault on a public servant.