Olympic sprint star Sha’Carri Richardson and her boyfriend, fellow track Olympian Christian Coleman, were arrested following a chaotic traffic stop in Florida that also involved another elite runner.
According to an affidavit from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened Thursday on Florida State Road 429 near Orlando. Richardson was driving northbound in a 65 mph zone when a deputy accused her of going more than 100 mph while aggressively weaving through traffic to get around a slower SUV.
The deputy said Richardson told him she believed her back tire was underinflated, which she claimed caused the excessive speed. When the deputy pointed out that driving with defective equipment was also an issue, Richardson reportedly said the car was new and that she didn’t realize how fast she was going.
Moments later, a second vehicle pulled over on the shoulder ahead of Richardson’s car. That vehicle was driven by Christian Coleman, who reportedly got out and attempted to walk back to Richardson’s car to explain the situation. The deputy told him he could be arrested if he interfered, prompting Coleman to return to his vehicle.
The situation escalated further when a third car, driven by Olympic sprinter Twanisha Terry, also stopped on the shoulder. According to the affidavit, Terry approached in an attempt to speak with Richardson. The deputy issued citations to both Terry and Coleman for parking on a limited-access highway.
Terry complied when asked for identification. Coleman, however, reportedly refused, asking to speak to a supervisor and demanding clarification about what was happening. The deputy then placed him in handcuffs and arrested him.
The affidavit also states that responding officers found a glass pipe commonly used to smoke marijuana inside the center console of Coleman’s car.
Terry was cited and allowed to leave after collecting Richardson’s purses and following instructions from officers. Richardson and Coleman were both later released after posting bond.
Court records show Richardson is charged with dangerous and excessive speeding, a second-degree misdemeanor. Coleman faces charges of resisting an officer without violence and possession of drug paraphernalia, both first-degree misdemeanors.
Richardson is scheduled to appear in court on February 25, with Coleman due back the following day.
Idiots! Must be democraps!