For those who have been following the situation with Seahawks fullback Derrick Coleman and his arrest, here’s a timeline:
Oct. 14: Coleman is arrested on suspicion of vehicular assault and hit and run following a two-car accident in Bellevue. Bellevue Chief of Police Steve Mylett holds a press conference the following day detailing the events, including Coleman fleeing the scene of the accident and later being found barefoot two blocks away. Coleman is cooperative with police. A drug recognition expert is called in and Coleman has blood drawn to find out whether drugs played a role in the incident. Coleman is suspended by the team.
Oct. 16: Coleman is released from jail. Coleman is not charged, but the investigation continues.
Oct. 19: The Seahawks lift Coleman’s suspension after speaking with him. Coleman does not immediately return to the lineup because of a concussion, but he appears in Seattle’s final nine regular season games and both playoff contests.
Jan. 25: The Bellevue Police Department sends the case to the King County Prosecutor’s Office recommending Coleman be charged with vehicular assault and hit and run, which are both felonies. The report includes Coleman telling police when he was arrested that he had smoked “Spice,” a synthetic form of marijuana, prior to the crash.
Jan 26: Mylett holds a press conference defending the department’s investigation, particularly against comments from Coleman’s attorney, Steve Hayne, attacking the integrity of the department. Mylett says the timing of the recommendation was not about waiting for the Seahawks’ season to end, but was based on the completion of the toxicology reports. Mylett says the toxicology tests did not reveal “Spice” in Coleman’s system, but adds that “Spice” is difficult to detect through toxicology tests.
The King County Prosecutor’s Office said it will be weeks before it determines whether to act on the charging recommendations.
Coleman became a restricted free agent when Seattle’s season ended.
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