Uploaded April 2023 | Updated September 2026, 14 hours ago
On April 7, 2023, K-9 Corporal Calvin Batts attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a motorcycle because it did not have a license plate attached to it. The motorcyclist, Matthew Price (W/M, DOB: 10/05/1990) attempted to elude Corporal Batts, weaving in and out of traffic, and then by driving between lines of vehicles stopped at the intersection of Southwest College Road and Southwest 17th Street. In an effort to head off Price, Corporal Batts went around the stopped vehicles and positioned his patrol vehicle in front of the motorcycle’s path of travel. After Corporal Batts exited his vehicle, Price accelerated around the patrol vehicle, striking Corporal Batts with his motorcycle. Corporal Batts removed Price from his motorcycle and placed him in handcuffs.
After he was handcuffed, Price stated that he fled from the traffic stop because his motorcycle did not have a license plate attached and admitted that he removed it in an attempt to avoid paying tolls while driving to Lakeland, Florida. Corporal Dustin French responded to assist and placed Price under arrest for Fleeing to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer. Price was transported to the Marion County Jail.
Citizens, it’s a bad idea to flee from law enforcement. It puts a lot of people at risk of being hurt or killed. And it makes a bad situation much, much worse. In this case, if Mr. Price had stopped for Corporal Batts, he would have been cited for a nonmoving violation and been required to pay a $116 fine. Instead, he was arrested for a third-degree felony and, if he is convicted, he faces up to five (5) years in prison, a $5,000 fine, a mandatory driver's license suspension of one to five years, and a mandatory adjudication of guilt (which will make him a convicted felon).
On April 7, 2023, K-9 Corporal Calvin Batts attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a motorcycle because it did not have a license plate attached to it. The motorcyclist, Matthew Price (W/M, DOB: 10/05/1990) attempted to elude Corporal Batts, weaving in and out of traffic, and then by driving between lines of vehicles stopped at the intersection of Southwest College Road and Southwest 17th Street. In an effort to head off Price, Corporal Batts went around the stopped vehicles and positioned his patrol vehicle in front of the motorcycle’s path of travel. After Corporal Batts exited his vehicle, Price accelerated around the patrol vehicle, striking Corporal Batts with his motorcycle. Corporal Batts removed Price from his motorcycle and placed him in handcuffs.
After he was handcuffed, Price stated that he fled from the traffic stop because his motorcycle did not have a license plate attached and admitted that he removed it in an attempt to avoid paying tolls while driving to Lakeland, Florida. Corporal Dustin French responded to assist and placed Price under arrest for Fleeing to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer. Price was transported to the Marion County Jail.
Citizens, it’s a bad idea to flee from law enforcement. It puts a lot of people at risk of being hurt or killed. And it makes a bad situation much, much worse. In this case, if Mr. Price had stopped for Corporal Batts, he would have been cited for a nonmoving violation and been required to pay a $116 fine. Instead, he was arrested for a third-degree felony and, if he is convicted, he faces up to five (5) years in prison, a $5,000 fine, a mandatory driver's license suspension of one to five years, and a mandatory adjudication of guilt (which will make him a convicted felon).
