William “Chip” Maxham, a meteorologist with WUFT Public Media, has been charged with DUI after being involved in a two-vehicle crash late Thursday night.
According to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Maxham’s black Buick Regal Sedan collided with a red Honda Accord at the intersection of Southwest Williston Road and Southwest 13th Street.
Authorities determined Maxham attempted a left turn in front of the oncoming Honda, causing the collision.
When deputies arrived at the scene, they identified Maxham, who appeared disheveled and emitted a strong odor of alcohol. He admitted to drinking two pints of beer earlier in the evening at a local Gainesville club, Vecinos, between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Maxham agreed to perform field sobriety exercises, which the officer noted showed multiple signs of impairment. He was subsequently arrested and transported to the Alachua County Jail, where he registered a blood alcohol level of 0.082 — just over the legal limit — over three hours after the crash occurred.
Maxham, who joined WUFT and the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network in January, has over 15 years of experience as a broadcast meteorologist, covering major weather events across the United States.
Maxham is currently awaiting further legal proceedings.
Contact Carlos Alemany at calemany@alligator.org. Follow him on X @clos_alemany
Carlos Alemany is a fourth year political science student and the Alligator's 2024 Criminal Justice Reporter. In his free time, you you may catch him thrifting or sketching in Gainesville.
