Georgia football running back Trevor Etienne no longer facing DUI charges
Georgia football running back Trevor Etienne was arrested on four misdemeanor charges back in March, including driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane/improper driving on road, and affixing materials that reduce the visibility of windows/windshield. But after a hearing in Athens on Wednesday, Eitenne's DUI charges were dropped while he pled no contest to […]
Georgia football running back Trevor Etienne was arrested on four misdemeanor charges back in March, including driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane/improper driving on road, and affixing materials that reduce the visibility of windows/windshield.
But after a hearing in Athens on Wednesday, Eitenne's DUI charges were dropped while he pled no contest to a reckless driving charge, according to Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald.
Weiszer reports that Etienne admitted to drinking alcohol earlier on the night he was arrested, but refused field sobriety and blood alcohol tests, which ultimately led to the judge finding minimal evidence of intoxication to move forward with that charge.
As a result, Etienne will do 40 hours of community service, a risk reduction program, a substance abuse evaluation, be on probation for 12 months, and pay an $852 fine as well as a $45 per month supervision fee. He will also be subject to random alcohol and drug screenings.
That might not be the final punishment for Etienne, however, as the university and football program have yet to announce their disciplinary action, which could result in game suspension.
Soon after Eitenne's arrest and before the hearing, there were some rumblings that the Georgia transfer could miss at least the Bulldogs' season opener against Clemson on Aug. 31.
That has not been confirmed, though head coach Kirby Smart is set to address the public at SEC Media Days on Tuesday, July 16 where more information on the situation could be provided.
The last time that Smart spoke on the matter was at the beginning of a practice press conference just two days after Etienne's arrest.
"Before we get to football, there's a lot of interest around the Trevor Etienne situation, Smart said. "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. We’ve gotten to know his family. He enjoys being coached. He’s a bright kid and we push him hard out there. He really loves the competition, but as we also know, sometimes kids don’t make the best decisions.
“The older you get sometimes the tougher the consequences are for your mistakes. He’s not going to let this mistake define him. He’s embarrassed, upset and knows he made a mistake. It’s a teaching moment, and we hope he gets better from it.”
Smart added that in addition to the university's discipline process, Etienne would face "in-house" discipline.
"Disappointed in his decision-making, but he is a good kid," Smart said.
