Bellevue man hit by Seahawks’ Derrick Coleman says he has no hard feelings but may sue
Jan 28, 2016, 1:16 PM | Updated: Jan 29, 2016, 1:32 pm
Kris Fine is considering suing Derrick Coleman after sustaining injuries in an Oct. 14 crash. (Bellevue PD)
(Bellevue PD)
BY
Former Seattle Sports Lead Editor
The driver who was injured in the two-car crash allegedly caused by Derrick Coleman says he doesn’t have any hard feelings toward the Seahawks fullback but is considering a lawsuit.
Kris Fine, 57, of Bellevue sustained a broken collarbone and a head injury during the Oct. 14 accident when, according to Bellevue police, his Honda Civic was struck from behind by a Dodge Ram truck driven by Coleman. Fine’s car was forced up an embankment, flipped over and came to rest on its hood.
Related: BPD chief says confidence in Coleman investigation is ‘rock solid’
Fine told KIRO 7 that he’s still in pain and that his inability to lift heavy objects has precluded him from working as a computer support specialist.
Fine called himself a Seahawks fan and considers Coleman – believed to be the NFL’s third legally deaf player – to be a good person. He said he has no hard feelings toward the 25-year-old Coleman – “No, none at all” – but is considering suing him for damages.
According Bellevue police’s report, Coleman admitted to smoking synthetic marijuana – also known as “spice” – about an hour before the crash. A Bellevue police officer wrote in the report that he believes Coleman was impaired by the drug, though the report indicated that nothing showed up in his blood tests and police said there wasn’t enough evidence to charge Coleman with driving under the influence.
The report stated that Coleman’s truck was traveling 60 mph in a 35 mph zone, that his foot remained on the accelerator at 100 percent for several seconds after hitting the back of Fine’s car and that he never braked.
“He is an individual that is admired, not only because he is a Seahawk but because of the many obstacles that he has overcome in his life,” Fine’s lawyer, Evan Bariault, told KIRO 7. “We expect him to continue to do good things, but just like anyone else, he needs to answer for this mistake.”
Fine was driving home from the pet store at the time of the accident. He said he wasn’t aware of who hit him until the next day.
“After I found out how old he is, everybody has to take responsibility for either a good or bad choice,” he said. “They will have to face the consequences of that.”
Earlier this week, Bellevue police recommended that felony charges of vehicular assault and hit-and-run be filed against Coleman, who is set to become a restricted free agent with the Seahawks. The King County Prosecutor’s Office will make that determination.
Editor’s note: This story corrects an earlier version that stated Coleman is believed to be the NFL’s first legally deaf player. He is believed to be the third legally deaf player and the first who plays offense.
