By Chad Anderson 8

An SIUC student bicyclist is awaiting a court date after a Friday dispute with a motorist resulted in thrown punches and a damaged car.

Cale Eakins, a junior in art from Rockford, was charged with criminal damage to property for kicking and denting the car of a 22-year-old SIUC student.

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My view on it is that I was run off the road, Eakins said.

SIUC Police said that at about 1 p.m., Eakins and the motorist attempted to simultaneously maneuver around a vehicle parked on Douglas Drive. Eakins said he thought the motorist came too close to him, so he reached out with his left foot while riding his bike, kicked and dented the vehicle above the passenger-side rear wheel well.

A damage estimate was not available as of press time Sunday.

Eakins flipped over his handlebars when he attempted to stop abruptly. The car came to a stop, and police said Eakins then jumped on the car’s hood and yelled at the driver. The driver stepped out of the car, and Eakins jumped off the car. Eakins said the driver then forced him to the ground and punched him.

I was pretty hyped up, Eakins said. He’s a lot bigger than I am. He forced me to the ground, and I got hit in the eye and maybe the ear.

Eakins said he did not attempt to fight back.

The motorist refused to comment on the incident.

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Police arrested Eakins for criminal damage to property. He was released on his own recognizance and is awaiting an Oct. 30 court date at the Jackson County Courthouse.

No charges were filed against the motorist for striking Eakins.

This is just a bad situation, SIUC Police Lt. Andrew Smith said at the scene. They’ll probably end up battling in the courts.