Kirby Smart addresses Trevor Etienne DUI arrest: 'Disappointed in his decision-making'

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart addressed Trevor Etienne’s DUI arrest during his press conference Tuesday.

Smart acknowledged that he was disappointed in Etienne’s decision making. However, he mentioned that he loved getting to know his new running back and family, saying the player would improve and get better from this.

He opened his presser with a statement on Etienne.

“Before we get to football, I know there’s a lot of interest in the Trevor situation from this past weekend. I would first want to reiterate what I said last week about the kid,” Smart said. “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 … Disappointed in his decision making, but he is a good kid.”

Smart did not provide any additional details on Etienne’s situation.

“I mean, some of it has to play itself out,” Smart said. “We’re still gathering information in terms of reporting things, but some things we know already asking for. Like I said, the university discipline is going to take its course as well as what he has to have consequences for his actions from the team. So both those things will play out as we gather more information.”

In total, Etienne was charged with four traffic-related misdemeanors. That includes charges for DUI (less safe), reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, and affixing materials that reduce visibility of his windows and windshield.

Now, DawgsHQ has obtained the incident report from the Athens-Clarke County Police, revealing further details.

On early Sunday morning, the arresting officer observed Etienne’s vehicle come to a sudden stop at South Milledge Avenue and Macon Highway. The stop was so sudden, in fact, the tires screeched. Following that, Etienne was observed passing two cars, one of which was on a blind curve, at what is described as a high rate of speed. The officer also noted that there was very little light on this stretch of road.

At that point, the officer says they put their lights on and began to pursue Etienne and, according to the officer, was not able to catch up to him while going 80 to 90 mph.

Etienne reportedly didn’t stop until he reached the gate of a community. That’s when the officer spoke to Etienne, who said he was just trying to get home and admitted he had been drinking. However, he only said that he had drunk three beers “way earlier.”

He also did not consent to a field sobriety test and told the officer he would push the car home if he needed to. During this time, the officer says Etienne swayed from side to side while he spoke. His speech was also reportedly slurred while his eyes were said to be glossed over. All of that is what led to the officer making the decision to arrest Etienne.

When tested, Etienne’s window tint also exceeded the four percent limit. That was found with equipment that another officer brought to the scene after initial contact with Etienne was made.

Trevor Etienne was booked at the ACC jail at 4:23. He later posted his bond, set at $1,883. That bond was posted about an hour after he was initially booked at the ACC jail.

Dan Morrison contributed to this report