Just when redemption seemed within reach, the track went dark. Well, for Fred Kerley, these aren’t just words; this is a saddening reality of his present status. The 29-year-old, who had stumbled out of the blocks in the inaugural Grand Slam Track season with a disappointing seventh in the 100m and a bronze in the 200m, had an overall fifth during the Jamaican stop. For Kerley, who was eyeing his comeback trail at Miami, his life changed in the blink of an eye.

The May 2nd statement from Grand Slam Track landed like a thunderbolt on the athletics world: Fred Kerley was arrested last night. The matter is under active investigation, and all inquiries should be directed to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. Fred will not compete this weekend. We have no further comment at this time.” 

But what happened? As details emerged, the picture grew more troubling. Kerley stands accused of punching his ex-girlfriend, Alaysha Johnson! But who exactly is she?

Meet Alaysha Johnson – Fred Kerley’s Ex-Girlfriend

Alaysha Johnson, hailing from Houston, Texas, has made a name for herself both on the track and in the spotlight, with her athletic excellence and notable connection to Olympic sprinter Fred Kerley. Her journey began at Spring High School, where her natural talent in track and field quickly garnered attention. Her impressive performances earned her a scholarship to the prestigious University of Oregon, a powerhouse in collegiate athletics, where she continued to sharpen her skills and make her mark in the sport.

But Alaysha’s journey didn’t stop there. After her time at Oregon, she transferred to Texas Tech University, where she further refined her abilities and continued to excel in the competitive world of collegiate athletics. Known for her speed, precision, and fierce determination, Alaysha became a standout athlete, competing at the highest levels and leaving an indelible mark on both teams and rival competitors alike. Her time in college set the stage for what would become an extraordinary career in track and field.

What is Alaysha Johnson’s profession?

Alaysha Johnson is one of America’s elite hurdlers. The Houston native’s journey began with record-setting performances that earned her the 2013 Gatorade Texas Track & Field Athlete of the Year award, but it was just the starting block of a career.

At the University of Oregon, Johnson propelled her way to seven All-American honors and a school record in the 100m hurdles with a blazing 12.69 seconds, and after transferring to Texas Tech, she continued collecting accolades while quietly plotting her unconventional path forward.

Johnson’s true distinction emerged when she qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics with a personal best of 12.31 seconds, a time that places her among the world’s elite in the 100m hurdles. Yet her seventh-place Olympic finish tells only a fraction of her story.

What separates Johnson from her peers isn’t just her technique over barriers but her willingness to hurdle the sport’s traditions.

She trains at the House of Athletes alongside NFL and NBA players rather than at established track camps. At the Olympic Trials, while competitors showed sponsor logos, Johnson competed in borrowed shoes and self-designed gear. “I always want to be on the edge of innovation,” she explained to Forbes, challenging track and field’s status quo at every turn.

What Led to Fred Kerley’s Arrest Involving Alaysha Johnson?

A pre-competition hotel corridor became the unlikely scene of an alleged confrontation that has rocked the track world. Two-time Olympic medalist Fred Kerley was taken into custody Thursday in Dania Beach, Florida, charged with misdemeanor battery after an encounter with fellow Olympian and ex-girlfriend Alaysha Johnson.

The incident unfolded when Johnson, in town for the Grand Slam Track Miami meet, was meeting her conditioning coach at the athletes’ hotel. According to the Broward County Sheriff’s arrest report, Johnson unexpectedly encountered Kerley in the hallway, with Johnson alleging Kerley struck her once with a closed fist, causing her nose to bleed.

Responding officers noted Johnson’s injuries “consistent with her statements,” leading to Kerley’s arrest on one count of “battery-touch or strike.” The sprinter appeared at a Friday morning hearing where a judge set bond at $1,000 and imposed strict no-contact orders with Alaysha Johnson.

The former couple’s relationship lasted approximately six months before ending last October, nearly seven months before this heated encounter.

Kerley’s attorney, Richard L. Cooper, has vigorously contested the allegations, claiming his client was “provoked and attacked” and promising evidence will clear the sprinter’s name. Both athletes had traveled to Miami for the high-profile Grand Slam Track event, though only Johnson will compete this weekend.