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By Joe Johnson
A University of Georgia football player was driving under the influence of alcohol early Sunday morning when his car was observed speeding and recklessly passing other vehicles, according to an Athens-Clarke County Police Department report.
A police officer was stopped for a red light on South Milledge Avenue at Macon Highway when he saw a 2024 Audi S6 sedan operated by 19-year-old Trevor Curtis Etienne coming from the direction of downtown. The car caught the attention of the officer when it screeched to a halt at the intersection.
When the Audi drove away the officer made a U-turn and followed, observing it illegally pass other vehicles, once while rounding a curve and again when cresting a hill. The report noted that the maneuvering was done in blind spots on the road where lighting was poor, and when crossing over double yellow lines.
After activating his patrol car's emergency lights and siren, the officer was unable to catch up with
the Audi despite reaching speeds of 70-80 mph, according to the police report.
Etienne didn't stop until he arrived at the closed gates of his apartment complex, The Retreat on Milledge.
According to the report, the football player had an odor of alcoholic beverage on his breath, was unsteady on his feet, and his eyes were glossy.
Etienne reportedly told the officer that he was returning home from downtown where he had consumed three beers.
He declined to submit to sobriety testing, telling the officer that he would push his car home, according to the report.
Etienne was charged with DUI alcohol less sale, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, and a window tinting violation.