Man arrested in connection with RV accident has previous convictions in Florida and Alaska

MOBILE, Alabama (WALA) – FOX10 is learning new details about a hectic police chase in downtown Mobile that resulted in an RV crashing at the state docks.

Dale Paulson of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was arrested and charged with attempted escape, criminal damage and resisting arrest after allegedly attempting to elude police.

After some research, FOX10 News found that similar charges have been filed against him in Alaska and Florida.

Investigators said they were called to a traffic accident at the interchange of Interstate 65 and Interstate 10 involving a motor home and another car late Thursday afternoon.

Blake Brown, spokesman for the Mobile Police Department, says the driver of the RV, Dale Paulson, initially pulled over to the right after colliding with the vehicle. However, when the driver of the other car got out of her vehicle, Paulson sped away, according to Brown.

“It was a strange case — once again, here was a guy who sideswiped a vehicle on the interstate. He acted like he was doing the right thing and waiting for the cops to arrive, but instead he drove away,” he said.

Brown says the woman suffered minor injuries in the accident. Meanwhile, Brown says Paulson took off in the RV and headed toward Brookley Field before colliding with another car. Thankfully, Brown says the person was unharmed.

“In doing so, he caused another accident and eventually again disobeyed police officers' orders and continued to flee from them,” Brown added.

According to police, the chase ended at the State Docks when Paulson crashed through the food distribution security gate.

“At one point near the McDuffie Terminal, he was driving through the side streets at 60 miles per hour – which obviously posed a danger to the public,” Brown explained.

Paulson was charged with attempted escape, criminal damage and resisting arrest.

Court records from Florida and Alaska show that Paulson has faced similar charges before.

Court records in Florida show Paulson was convicted of resisting arrest and drug possession in 2014. Before that, court records in Alaska show Paulson was convicted of several crimes, including resisting arrest, hit and run, driving under the influence and reckless endangerment.

Mobile police said a dog was found in Paulson's RV and taken to the Mobile County Animal Shelter.

Jail records show Paulson was denied bail on Friday and remains in the Mobile County Metro Jail.

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