Gainesville woman charged with aggravated assault after allegedly accelerating her car toward ex-boyfriend

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Willandra Lakishe Manuel, 42, was arrested yesterday and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery, and property damage after allegedly accelerating her car toward her ex-boyfriend, then hitting his car and injuring a passenger in that car.

On May 7, Manuel reportedly argued with her ex-boyfriend over property she wanted back from him. After he gave her the items, she allegedly threw a cable box at him, then put her car into gear and accelerated directly toward him. He moved out of the way, then she allegedly backed up, put her car in gear again, and accelerated toward him again. She allegedly drove over the parking bumper and onto the sidewalk, still speeding toward the victim, who reportedly moved behind a tree to avoid being hit.

Manuel backed up again and started to leave the area, but then she allegedly turned and intentionally rammed the victim’s parked car, injuring a woman sitting in the car and causing about $5,000 in damage to the car. The woman reportedly required medical treatment after the car was hit.

A warrant for Manuel’s arrest was issued with a recommended bail of $160,000, then formal charges were filed on June 8 and a new warrant was issued with a recommended bail of $210,000.

Manuel has one violent felony conviction and four misdemeanor convictions (none violent). Judge Thomas Jaworski set bail at $60,000.

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.