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Bad behavior costs a lot, even if you’re Gary Coleman. The
actor was officially charged on Wednesday with reckless driving and disorderly
conduct after being involved in an altercation at a bowling alley in Utah last week.
“Mr. Coleman was notified today of the charges through his
attorney,” said Lt. Bill Wright of the Payson, Utah, Police Department, according to
PEOPLE. “(Coleman) never spoke to us about what happened, but we gathered
evidence after speaking to witnesses and the other party involved,” he added.
Both charges reportedly are misdemeanors.
The former “Diff’rent Strokes” star was backing out of a
park space at the bowling alley late at night on Sept. 6 when his truck hit
Colt Rushton, 24, and another vehicle. The victim was transported to a local
hospital and given medical care for minor injuries.
According to witnesses, Colt Rushton wound Gary Coleman up
after snapping a few photos of the star. After the two men quarreled inside the
bowling alley, the argument allegedly continued outside.
Rushton’s attorney, Dustin Lance, said in a statement that
the actor should not have reacted the way he did, as his client was only a fan
who wanted to take a photo of the celebrity. “This wasn’t a situation of
paparazzi or stalker-razzi, this was a fan snapping two photographs with a cell
phone,” he said.
Colt Rushton has filed a lawsuit against Gary Coleman
seeking damages for medical bills, pain and suffering, as well as punitive
damages.
A representative for the actor was not immediately available
for comment, PEOPLE reported.
Gary Coleman, 40, is best known for his role in the ‘70s’
sitcom “Diff’rent Strokes,” in which he impersonated Arnold Jackson, a child
adopted by a rich widower. The show was broadcast from 1978 to 1986 and
represented a swift success.
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