GAINESVILLE, Fla. – William Dakota Culp, 35, was arrested yesterday after allegedly fleeing from police and driving toward an officer in an apparent attempt to strike him.
At approximately 11 p.m. on November 7, Gainesville Police Department officers were investigating reports of a vehicle being driven recklessly near Campus Walk Apartments at 914 SW 8th Avenue, where Culp lives. While officers were at the location, a vehicle matching the caller’s description returned to the area, prompting officers to attempt a traffic stop.
According to police, an officer in full uniform was standing in the roadway when Culp allegedly ignored commands to stop and suddenly accelerated directly toward him. Investigators said Culp did not appear to slow down, stop, or turn to avoid the officer, who had to jump out of the roadway to avoid being struck. The officer was reportedly “placed in reasonable fear of imminent bodily injury.”
Culp allegedly fled and turned east onto SW 7th Avenue, traveling the wrong way on the one-way street. Officers continued pursuing him as he reportedly made several turns and managed to evade them.
Shortly afterward, authorities received a report of a vehicle crash at 714 SW 10th Street. The driver reportedly fled the scene on foot.
A warrant was issued for Culp’s arrest on November 9, and he was taken into custody yesterday.
Culp faces charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, aggravated fleeing, resisting an officer with violence, and reckless driving, his first such offense. He has 20 prior nonviolent felony convictions and four nonviolent misdemeanor convictions, and he has served three state prison sentences. His most recent release was in March 2025. Judge Adam Lee ordered Culp held without bail pending a hearing on the State Attorney’s Office request to keep him jailed without bail through trial. If that motion is denied, bail will be determined at the hearing.