ATHENS — Once again, speeding and drinking resulted in the incarceration of a Georgia football player.
That’s according to Athens-Clarke County Police, who Tuesday morning released the full report to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on the DUI arrest of Bulldogs running back Trevor Etienne in the wee hours of Sunday morning.
Police said Etienne had been traveling between 80 and 90 mph in a 50 mph zone in his 2024 Audi RS7 and allegedly passed a car on a double-yellow line before he was pulled over on South Milledge Avenue at 1:50 a.m. Sunday. Etienne declined to consent to a field sobriety test but, according to the arresting officer, had slurred speech, glossy eyes and was swaying “back and forth while standing on flat ground.”
Based on the officer’s assessment, Etienne, a 19-year-old from Jennings, Louisiana, was taken into custody and charged with DUI-alcohol-less safe, with reckless driving, with failure to maintain lane/improper driving and with affixing materials that reduce visibility of windows for tinting of 4%.
Police claimed in the report that the 19-year-old Etienne admitted to drinking three beers in downtown Athens. Since he is under 21, any alcohol consumption is considered illegal.
“I would first want to reiterate what I said last week about the kid. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know him. I think he’s a great kid, great person,” coach Kirby Smart said Tuesday at his already scheduled weekly news conference during spring practice. “We’ve gotten to know his family. He enjoys being coached. He’s a bright kid. We push him hard out there, and he really loves the competition.
“As we also know, kids sometimes don’t make the best decisions. Um, the older you get, sometimes the tougher the consequences are for you mistakes. So, he’s not not going to let this mistake define him. He’s embarrassed, he’s upset, he knows he’s made a mistake. It’s a teaching moment, and we hope he gets better from it.”
UGA Athletic Association policy dictates that athletes guilty of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol be suspended from competition for at least one game.
“In addition to our university discipline process, we’ve got all the stuff we deal with inside house,” Smart said. “He’ll be subjected under the same rules we have in-house as well as the university discipline. So, disappointed in his decision-making, but he is a good kid.”
When asked if discipline had been determined or if it would wait until the legal process was completed, Smart said, “Some of both. Some of it has to play itself out. We’re still gathering information in terms of the report and things like that. But some things we know already, as usual.”
The Bulldogs open the season against Clemson on Aug. 31 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Etienne’s older brother, Travis, played running back for the Tigers before heading to the NFL.
Trevor Etienne is a mid-year transfer from Florida. He rushed for 1,472 yards and 15 touchdowns in two seasons with the Gators.
Etienne’s arrest for speeding is at least the 16th offense committed by Georgia football associates since 2023. That does not include the DUI arrest and conviction of former Bulldog Javon Bullard in September 2022.
In January 2023, UGA recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy and football player Devin Willock were killed in a high-speed, alcohol-related crash in Athens.
SPEEDING BULLDOGS
Jan. 15, 2023, Chandler LeCroy, UGA recruiting analyst: LeCroy and sophomore football player Devin Willock were killed in a high-speed, alcohol-related crash in which Willock was a passenger. Football player Warren McClendon and recruiting analyst Tory Bowles also were passengers and were injured. Police determined that LeCroy was racing Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter at more than 100 mph on Barnett Shoals Road in Athens before leaving the roadway and striking trees and an apartment building. In March, Carter’s no-contest plea yielded a sentence that included of 12 months of probation, a $1,000 fine, 80 hours of community service and attendance at a state-approved defensive-driving course.
Feb. 17, 2023, Aliou Bah, freshman offensive lineman: Stopped in February by Athens-Clarke County Police for driving 65 in a 45 mph zone in a gray 2020 Dodge Charger on Atlanta Highway at Epps Bridge Parkway. He received 12 months’ probation and was ordered to complete a defensive driving course and traffic violators’ impact program, pay a $635 fine and do 40 hours of community service.
Feb. 21, 2023, Jamon Dumas-Johnson, junior linebacker: Stopped for racing and reckless driving for an incident that actually occurred Jan. 10. On April 17, pleaded guilty to reckless driving and had a racing charge dismissed. He was sentenced to 12 months probation and was ordered to complete a defensive driving course and traffic violators’ impact program, pay a $635 fine and do 40 hours of community service.
Feb. 23, 2023, De’Nylon Morrissette, sophomore receiver: Stopped by Athens-Clarke County Police for driving 81 in a 45 mph zone on Atlanta Highway in his gray 2019 Dodge Charger.
Feb. 23, 2023, Marvin Jones, freshman defensive end: Stopped by Georgia State Patrol in Athens for driving 93 in a 65 mph zone on the Highway 10 Loop, which is the four-lane perimeter highway that surrounds Athens.
March 1, 2023, Jalen Carter, junior defensive lineman: Arrested by Athens-Clarke County Police on charges of street racing and reckless driving stemming from the Jan. 15 double-fatality crash that took the life of teammate Devin Willock and football recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy. On March 16, his no-contest plea yielded a sentence of 12 months of probation, $1,000 fine, 80 hours of community service and attendance of state-approved defensive-driving course.
March 25, 2023, Christen Miller, freshman defensive lineman: Stopped by Oconee County Sheriff’s Department for driving 95 in a 65 mph zone.
March 25, 2023, Kendall Milton, sophomore running back: Stopped by Georgia State Patrol in Athens and cited for driving 79 in a 65 mph zone.
May 2, 2023, Morrissette No. 2: Pulled over in Walton County for traveling 91 in a 55 mph zone.
May 9, 2023, Morrisette No. 3: Arrested for DUI/drugs by Oconee County authorities at 3:30 a.m. after striking another vehicle from behind on Georgia Highway 316. Also charged with driving on a restricted license and too fast for conditions.
May 15, 2023, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint junior, receiver: Stopped by police in Coral Springs, Florida, for speeding (60 in a 50 mph zone).
May 16, 2023, Rosemy-Jacksaint No. 2: Stopped by police in Coral Springs, Florida, cited for speeding (71 in a 40 mph zone).
May 23, 2023, Rosemy-Jacksaint No. 3: Pulled over Athens-Clarke County Police after being clocked at 90 in a 45 mph zone on Atlanta Highway. Jailed for reckless driving and “speeding-maximum limits.”
July 5, 2023, Samuel M’Pemba, freshman linebacker: Stopped by Oconee County Sheriff’s Department and cited for driving 88 in a 55 mph zone.
July 31, 2023, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins redshirt freshman, defensive lineman: Stopped on I-85 in Franklin County for driving 90 in a 70 mph zone. Records review revealed Ingram-Dawkins had a warrant in Athens-Clarke County for failure to appear in court to resolve a handicap parking violation. Was jailed, posted a $13 bond and was fined $200 for contempt of court.
Sept. 1, 2023, Jarvis Jones, Georgia’s player-connection coordinator: Stopped by Athens-Clarke County Police at 10:40 p.m. for allegedly driving 86 mph in a 40 mph zone on Atlanta Highway. Jones was arrested on charges of reckless driving and speeding/maximum limits and booked in Athens-Clarke County Jail.
March 24, 2024, Trevor Etienne, rising junior running back: Pulled over at 1:50 a.m. on South Milledge Avenue for allegedly driving his 2024 Audi at speeds between 80-90 mph after drinking in downtown Athens. Charged with DUI, reckless driving and two other misdemeanor charges.
Credit: Tony Walsh/UGAAA
Credit: Tony Walsh/UGAAA
Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC
Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC
