By Staff Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A 20-year-old man, Dennis Paul Cole, was taken into custody yesterday following allegations of leaving the scene of a crash, driving with an expired learner’s permit, and evading police officers. Cole was also identified as a fugitive from Gilchrist County.
The incident unfolded around 1 p.m. on May 21, when officers from the Gainesville Police Department responded to a collision on the 3700 block of SW Archer Road. According to reports, the driver had fled the scene on foot. A passenger in the vehicle confirmed that Cole was behind the wheel during the crash and had subsequently left the area.
Police officers pursued Cole, who allegedly ignored their commands and continued to evade capture. Reports indicate that Cole was in contact with his passenger via phone, informing her that he was aware of the police searching for him.
Cole reportedly confessed to driving the vehicle and acknowledged that his inattention led to the collision. He admitted to possessing only a learner’s permit, which he knew had been suspended while he was incarcerated. He has never held a full driver’s license.
Authorities noted that Cole’s learner’s permit had been indefinitely suspended in 2024, adding to his list of legal troubles.
Cole has been charged with resisting an officer without violence, leaving the scene of a crash with property damage, and driving without a valid license. He is a designated high-risk sexual offender with one violent felony conviction and one non-violent misdemeanor conviction, along with juvenile convictions between 2019 and 2024. He is on probation out of Gilchrist County and is listed as a fugitive on the Florida Department of Corrections website. He has served one state prison sentence and was released in July 2025.
Judge Bo Bayer ordered him held without bail until a “dangerous to the community” hearing is held under the Jessica Lunsford Act.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
