Gary Coleman's Bowling Alley Incident

Did I ever tell you guys about my awkward encounter with Gary Coleman? It happened about 6 or 7 years ago when I was living in San Francisco. As I walked into work one morning I saw this guy at reception and was like, "OMG, that's Gary Coleman." I didn't say that out loud - but as soon as I got to my desk (where, ironically my screensaver was a picture of Gary) I started calling co-workers to see if it was him. At the time I worked for an advertising agency and Gary was hawking some new online entertainment company. Well, sure enough it was him. And sure enough our conference room was PACKED for their dog and pony show. At the end of the meeting Gary was forced to make nice and pose for pictures. I HAD to have a picture with him. I mean, how funny would that be? So I get up there for my pic and one of my friends proclaims to Gary, "YOU'RE ON HER SCREENSAVER!" Well, she might as well have said, "Nikki makes fun of you on a daily basis!" He begrudginly put his arm around me, laughed nervously and we took the most awkward picture in the history of pictures. I would give anything to have that picture in digital form for you guys.

Anyway, really, given his history - I'm lucky he didn't punch me or something.

Gary Coleman was formally charged Wednesday with reckless driving and disorderly conduct following an altercation at a bowling alley in Utah.

"Mr. Coleman was notified today of the charges through his attorney," said Lt. Bill Wright of the Payson, Utah, Police Department. "(Coleman) never spoke to us about what happened, but we gathered evidence after speaking to witnesses and the other party involved."

Both charges are misdemeanors.

Coleman, 40, was backing out of a bowling alley around midnight on Sept. 6 when his truck hit Colt Rushton, 24, as well as another car. Rushton was taken to a local hospital and treated for minor injuries.

Witnesses said Coleman became irritated after Rushton photographed him. The two argued in the bowling alley and then moved outside, Lt. Wright said.

Rushton's attorney, Dustin Lance, said in a statement: "This wasn't a situation of paparazzi or stalker-razzi, this was a fan snapping two photographs with a cell phone."

Rushton has since filed a lawsuit against Coleman, seeking damages for medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.

A rep for Coleman wasn't immediately available for comment.
(Source: People.com)