Seahawks suspend FB Derrick Coleman pending hit-and-run investigation

Seattle Seahawks fullback Derrick Coleman has been suspended indefinitely, pending further investigation on charges of vehicular assault and hit-and-run.

Authorities said Friday that they'll wait until an investigation is complete before deciding whether to file criminal charges against Derrick Coleman.

Dan Donohoe, a spokesman for the King County prosecutor, said in a statement that Coleman was being released from jail and that he wouldn't appear in court. The investigation into Wednesday's incident, including full toxicology test results, was expected to take at least a month.

Bellevue police chief Steve Mylett told reporters Thursday that the officers performed a sobriety test and blood tests on Coleman.

"There was enough evidence there to lead us to suspect that perhaps drugs or alcohol could have been involved," Mylett said.

The incident occurred at 6:20 p.m. Wednesday. Coleman's Dodge Ram pickup truck was driving at "a high rate of speed" in a 35-mph zone and hit the back of a Honda Civic going in the same direction. The collision caused the Civic to turn upside down, and the truck was turned on its side, Mylett said.

The driver of the Civic suffered injuries that were serious but not life-threatening.

Coleman fled the scene and was found by police two blocks away.

"He left the scene of an accident where a person was injured, and he had a duty under Washington law to stop and render aid," Mylett said."He also had the duty to provide his personal information, his driver's license number and insurance."

Mylett said Coleman has been cooperating with the police's investigation.

Coleman was booked at the King County Jail at 1:20 a.m. Thursday.

Derrick Fox and Mark Bloom, Coleman's agents, released a statement that indicated Coleman might have fallen asleep at the wheel.

"On the evening of October 15, 2015, Seattle Seahawk Fullback Derrick Coleman, Jr. was involved in a two-car collision soon after leaving a team meeting. While the facts of the case are still being determined, it seems Derrick may have fallen asleep while driving home from a Seahawks' facility.

"The health and well-being of all involved is our primary concern, and we are thankful to report that both parties are expected to make a full recovery. We will continue to work closely with the local officials while a full investigation is being conducted."

Mylett declined to comment on whether Coleman fell asleep at the wheel.

Coleman, 24, has appeared in 22 games with the team since 2013. He was originally signed to the practice squad the previous year.

Through five games, he has played 20.2 percent of the Seahawks' offensive snaps and has also had a role on special teams.

Coleman lost his hearing as a young boy and was undrafted out of UCLA.