The lawyer for Seahawks fullback Derrick Coleman thinks his client may have suffered a concussion during the car crash that landed him in jail, which coupled with his deafness might have led police to thinking he was intoxicated.
According to KING 5 in Seattle, Coleman’s attorney Stephen Hayne said walking away from the scene of the rollover crash which left the other driver with serious but not life-threatening injuries was not consistent with Coleman’s character.
“He was clearly not in his right mind after the accident, and that would probably be due to a concussion, but that’s speculation as well,” Hayne said. “We don’t know. But his walking away from the accident is absolutely out of character for who he is and how he would normally respond to a situation like that.”
Coleman was arrested for investigation of vehicular assault and hit and run, and the Seahawks have suspended him indefinitely while the investigation continues. His agent put out a statement yesterday saying Coleman may have fallen asleep at the wheel after leaving the Seahawks facility.
Witnesses saw Coleman either walking or running away from the scene, and police found him two blocks away from the crash. Bellevue Police Chief Steve Mylett said there was concern the batteries in Coleman’s hearing aid were low as he was being questioned, and Hayne said he brought a spare set of batteries to the police department.
A field sobriety test was performed and a search warrant was obtained for a blood test, but results were not available. Coleman told police he did not use any alcohol or drugs before driving.
Coleman is still being held without bail, and is awaiting a first appearance in court today.
