Body-Camera Video Details Arrest of Olympic Sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson

Body-camera footage released this week shows the arrest of Olympic sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson following a high-speed traffic stop on State Road 429 in Orange County, Florida, according to law enforcement records.

Deputies said Richardson, 25, was stopped Thursday after being observed driving an Aston Martin at speeds exceeding 100 mph in a 65 mph zone. An arrest affidavit states that a deputy observed Richardson using flashing lights to move traffic out of her way, making unsafe lane changes, following vehicles too closely, and passing on the inside shoulder with hazard lights activated.

The body-camera video captures the deputy explaining the reasons for the stop and informing Richardson she was being taken into custody for dangerous excessive speeding. Richardson can be heard apologizing repeatedly during the encounter and telling the deputy she was unaware of how fast she was traveling. She also told deputies that an underinflated rear tire may have contributed to the situation.

Authorities said the traffic stop escalated further when Christian Coleman, identified in the arrest affidavit as Richardson’s boyfriend, arrived at the scene in a black Jeep shortly afterward. Deputies said Coleman stopped on the limited-access roadway and failed to comply with instructions from officers. He was arrested on charges of resisting an officer without violence.

During a search of Coleman’s vehicle, deputies said they located a glass smoking device containing residue consistent with cannabis use. The device was seized as evidence, leading to an additional charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. Coleman was also cited for stopping on a limited-access roadway and expired vehicle registration.

Another individual, Twanisha Terry, who also stopped at the scene, was cited for stopping on a limited-access roadway, according to arrest records.

Richardson was charged with dangerous excessive speeding at 104 mph in a 65 mph zone, failure to dim headlights, following too closely, cutting in, and failure to move over. Both Richardson and Coleman were taken to the Orange County jail, and their vehicles were towed.

The excessive-speeding charge stems from a Florida law passed last year that makes driving at speeds of 100 mph or more a criminal offense when it endangers people or property.

Richardson rose to international prominence after winning gold in the 100 meters at the 2023 World Championships and competing in the Olympic relay in 2024. Her career has also included setbacks, including a suspension from Olympic competition in 2021 following a positive test for a cannabis-related substance and an arrest last year tied to a domestic violence accusation.

All parties are innocent unless proven guilty.