Sha’Carri Richardson’s boyfriendand fellow Olympic medalist Christian Coleman, was also arrested after a dramatic traffic stop in Florida spiraled into what police described as a chaotic, multi-athlete roadside scene.
According to an arrest affidavit, the incident unfolded Thursday afternoon on State Road 429 in Winter Garden, Florida, and quickly turned into what officers called a dangerous encounter involving excessive speed, outside interference, and alleged drug paraphernalia.
Police say the situation began just after noon, when an officer observed a gray Aston Martin approaching at a “rapid speed” while traveling northbound. Using radar, the officer clocked the vehicle at up to 104 miles per hour. The report claims the car was tailgating, aggressively passing other vehicles, and flashing its lights at traffic ahead — behavior the officer deemed hazardous to public safety.
The officer activated lights and sirens and initiated a traffic stop. Richardson, who was driving, reportedly told police she was speeding because one of her rear tires was underinflated. She also claimed her phone had accidentally changed the vehicle’s settings and that she didn’t know how to correct them.
As the officer worked the stop, things escalated.
A black Jeep soon pulled over in front of the scene, and Christian Coleman exited the vehicle and waited nearby. When the officer stepped away to complete paperwork, Coleman reportedly approached the traffic stop. Police say he was instructed to return to his vehicle — but as he walked back, the officer claims Coleman dropped an object into the grass.
According to the report, Coleman repeatedly refused commands to stay away from the traffic stop and attempted multiple times to explain Richardson’s speed in an effort to keep her from being jailed. Richardson identified Coleman as her boyfriend, but when police asked him for identification, officers say he refused to comply.
Coleman was then placed under arrest for resisting an officer without violence.
During a subsequent search of Coleman’s Jeep, police reported finding a “glass smoking device” in the center console. The bowl area allegedly appeared used but cleaned, with a small amount of green, leafy plant material still present and suspected to be cannabis.
Coleman later posted a $1,000 bond, paying $500 for each charge, and was released later that night.
The scene grew even more crowded when fellow Team USA sprinter Twanisha Terry arrived. According to the report, Terry stopped on the side of the limited-access highway to check on her friends and ask officers what was happening. She was cited for stopping illegally on the roadway but was otherwise free to leave. Terry departed the scene with Richardson’s purse.
Due to the involvement of multiple individuals and vehicles, officers requested backup to safely complete the traffic stop. Both Richardson’s Aston Martin and Coleman’s Jeep were ultimately towed, and the two athletes were transported to jail in separate vehicles.
As previously reported, Richardson was arrested on one charge of dangerous excessive speeding and cited for multiple driving violations.
The incident adds another chapter to Richardson and Coleman’s complicated history with law enforcement. Last year, the two were involved in a physical altercation at an airport, an incident that was captured on police body-camera footage. In that encounter, Richardson was heard calling Coleman a “coward,” despite his attempts to intervene on her behalf.
Once again, two of America’s fastest runners found themselves at the center of controversy — this time not on the track, but on the side of a Florida highway.