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Georgia football coach Kirby Smart speaks to reporters on May 28, 2024 in Miramar Beach, Fla. at the SEC spring meetings.
Georgia football running back Trevor Etienne was in an Athens courtroom Wednesday morning for a hearing for his spring arrest when police alleged he drove recklessly after drinking three beers.
The Florida transfer who is expected to be one of the SEC’s top rushers this season was charged with multiple misdemeanors including DUI by Athens-Clarke County police but his case was resolved under a plea deal.
Charges of DUI less safe and DUI under 21 were dismissed while Etienne pled no contest to a reckless driving charge from the early morning March 24 incident and pled guilty to underage possession of alcohol, failure to maintain lane and a window tint violation.
Etienne, 20, received 12 months of probation and an $852 fine as well as a $45 per month supervision fee. He also had to complete a substance abuse evaluation, 40 hours of community service, an alcohol risk reduction program and is subject to random drug and alcohol screenings.
Etienne did admit to drinking alcohol earlier on the night he was out, but refused field sobriety and blood alcohol tests and the judge was told that there was minimal evidence of intoxication to go forward with that charge.
“We’re pleased the evidence didn’t support the DUI charge to begin with,” attorney Kim Stephens, who represented Etienne, told the Athens Banner-Herald. “We’re pleased the Solicitor’s Office saw that and agreed to something that wasn’t a DUI.”
Stephens said there was a legal question in the case in whether complied consent was read correctly.
“The likelihood is that the refusal of the test would not have been admissible,” he said. “In fact, Trevor agreed to take a breath test at one point during the stop but was never given an opportunity.”
Etienne is expected to be Georgia’s starting running back after rushing for 1,472 yards and 15 touchdowns in two seasons at Florida.
Georgia has not announced if Etienne will be suspended for the Aug. 31 season opener against Clemson in Atlanta.
It’s unclear of how the dismissal of the DUI charge could affect any discipline. Coach Kirby Smart will speak to reporters Tuesday at SEC Media Days in Dallas.
“In addition to our university discipline process, we’ve got all of the stuff we deal with inside house,” Smart said after Etienne’s arrest. “Disappointed in his decision-making, but he is a good kid.”
Said Stephens, a former Georgia football offensive lineman: “I trust they’ll do whatever their policies say.”
Defensive back Javon Bullard was suspended for a game in 2022 after a DUI incident. Wide receiver Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint served a game suspension last season after his arrest for reckless driving and multiple speeding incidents.
Police said Etienne drove his 2024 RS7 Audi sedan at least 80 to 90 miles per hour in a 50 MPH zone on South Milledge Avenue while driving home after drinking. He was alleged to have passed over double yellow lines and passed a vehicle.
Municipal Court Judge Marcy Jolles told Etienne in court: “I see you were driving a very new Audi vehicle. I do not know if you have a name, image and likeness situation or if that’s being done through that. I’m sure you and Mr. Stephens have discussed that you are a public figure, whether you realize that or not. What you do, people see because of your role at the university. I would hope that you make better choices in the future to make a better example for those that are watching.”
Stephens told the judge: “He’s relatively new to the Athens area. We don’t anticipate any other issues or problems going forward.”
