Sha’Carri Richardson and Christian Coleman pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a traffic incident last week in Florida near Orlando where both were taken into custody.
According to Orange County court records and attorney Alisia Adamson, who is representing the sprinters, Richardson and Coleman, who are in a relationship, entered not guilty pleas on Monday. Richardson, 25, was charged with dangerous excessive speeding of more than 100 miles per hour and infractions related to the traffic stop.
Coleman, 29, was cited for stopping his vehicle on a roadway with limited access, expired vehicle registration, resisting an officer without violence and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Both were taken into custody last Thursday after deputies said that Richardson was allegedly driving 104 miles per hour on on Florida State Road 429 along with tailgating and traveling across multiple lanes.
Florida enacted the Dangerous Excessive Speeding Law last July to combat a rise in vehicle fatalities and reckless drivers particularly on highways.
During the traffic stop, deputies said Coleman approached in a separate vehicle was instructed to go back and as he walked away he allegedly tossed an item in the nearby grass. The officer on said Coleman refused to comply with their orders to stay away from the traffic stop and refused to provide identification.
When Coleman was placed under arrest for resisting, a “glass smoking device” was seen in his vehicle and a small amount of marijuana was believed to be inside. Deputies requested backup and another vehicle, driven by sprinter Twanisha Terry, also stopped at the scene. Terry was also told to step away from the traffic stop but she and Coleman began speaking with Richardson, according to the report.
Richardson and Coleman later posted bond and were released, but in Richardson’s case the penalties associated with the Dangerous Excessive Speeding Law can vary.
A first offense conviction can result in days in jail a possible $500 fine with even high penalties for repeat offenders while a second conviction comes with 90 days in jail and $1,000 fine. But a third conviction means the driver can have their license suspended for 180 days up to a year.
Richardson faced separate legal issues last August when she was arrested and charged with domestic assault at Seattle Tacoma International Airport after an alleged incident with Coleman. A police report indicated that Richardson was involved in an verbal argument with Coleman near a security checkpoint and was seen on video shoving Coleman several times as he walked away.
She addressed the incident in a public apology to Coleman in a social media post.
