While speeding on the track has earned Sha’Carri Richardson an Olympic gold medal, speeding along Florida’s roadway reportedly landed her behind bars. Richardson was arrested on Thursday for reportedly driving over 100 mph.
The 25-year-old athlete has been charged with dangerous excessive speeding at 100 mph or more. She was held at the Orange County Jail, where records show she was formally booked following the arrest. Bond in the matter was set at $500.
Details surrounding the incident indicate that Richardson was taken into custody after allegedly travelling at a speed that meets Florida’s threshold for dangerous excessive speeding. Under state law, it is illegal to drive 50 miles per hour over the posted speed limit or to exceed 100 miles per hour on any roadway.
The charge carries potential penalties, including up to a month in jail or a fine of up to $500 for a first-time offender. The sentence and fine are significantly higher for a repeat offender.
Richardson, who is among the world’s fastest women on the track, won a silver medal in the women’s 100 meters at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She also secured a gold medal in the 4×100-meter relay.
Her latest run-in with the law comes months after she was arrested for reportedly assaulting her boyfriend, fellow sprinter Christian Coleman. Last August, the pair had a dispute at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and Richardson was caught on camera repeatedly physically hitting him. When police arrested her, she denied the assault and blamed her boyfriend. Later, she addressed the matter publicly, issuing an apology. The matter did not go to court because Coleman declined to press charges.
Earlier in her career, Richardson faced significant consequences after testing positive for THC, the active chemical found in cannabis, during the 2021 U.S. Olympic trials. The positive test resulted in a 30-day suspension, which prevented her from competing in the 100 meters at the Tokyo Olympics.