Police: UGA’s Tuggle driving 107 mph upon arrest
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Mark Schlabach
Georgia wide receiver Nitro Tuggle was driving 107 mph before he was stopped and arrested by police on March 19, according to an Athens-Clarke County Police Department incident report.
Tuggle, a sophomore from Goshen, Indiana, was clocked driving 42 mph over the speed limit on the Georgia State Route 10 Loop outside Athens. He was driving a 2021 Dodge Charger and his girlfriend was in the car, according to the report.
The arrest report indicated there were other motorists on the highway and that Tuggle stopped his vehicle in the right lane, rather than the shoulder, when police pulled him over.
“I instructed Tuggle to exit the vehicle, at which point he nearly exited without placing the vehicle in park,” the report said. “Due to his reckless disregard for the safety of others — including himself, his passenger, other motorists, and myself — by operating the vehicle at a speed 42 mph over the limit and exceeding triple-digit speeds, I placed him under arrest.”
Tuggle was charged with misdemeanor reckless driving and speeding.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart suspended Tuggle and freshman offensive lineman Marques Easley from the team indefinitely on March 20.
Easley, from Peoria, Illinois, was arrested in Oconee County (Georgia) on March 17 after wrecking his Dodge Charger into a power distribution box in an apartment complex and causing damage to other cars.
On Tuesday, Smart called the team’s latest traffic arrests “disappointing.”
“You know, both of them are younger players and have made crucial mistakes,” Smart told reporters. “As far as the process we followed, it’s not been several months. You know, it’s been several years in terms of defensive driving courses, having players ride and learn how to drive, just like my two kids did, with a driver’s service.”
A wreck killed a Georgia football player and a recruiting staffer in January 2023, hours after the Bulldogs celebrated their second straight national championship in a ceremony at Sanford Stadium. Offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy were killed in the wreck that occurred while LeCroy and defensive tackle Jalen Carter were racing.
“[Athletic director] Josh Brooks has done a tremendous job meeting with every player, and we’ve had several speakers come in, and we continue to educate,” Smart said. “We’re not going to stop at that. You know, it’s very unfortunate that, you know, one of those young men got his driver’s license within one month of that happening at 18 or 19 years old, and it’s amazing how many kids come to school now without a driver’s license.
“So, it’s no excuse, but one of those things we will continue to educate and discipline our guys to try to correct it.”
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley on Monday was placed on the 10-day injured list for the second time in two months with a strained lower abdominal muscle.
Right-hander Grant Holmes, meanwhile, has opted to rehab his injured right elbow rather than undergoing Tommy John surgery, manager Brian Snitker told reporters.
Riley suffered the injury while tagging out Cincinnati’s Elly De La Cruz near home plate in the Braves’ 4-2 win on Sunday in the rain-delayed MLB Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Riley also landed on the IL on July 12 with a strained abdomen. He returned on July 25.
The Braves recalled infielders Nacho Alvarez Jr. and Jonathan Ornelas from Triple-A Gwinnett before opening a home series against Milwaukee on Monday night. The team optioned outfielder Jarred Kelenic to Gwinnett following Sunday’s game.
Riley is hitting .260 with 16 homers and 54 RBIs.
Snitker said Holmes, who has damage to his UCL, made the decision to not have surgery at the present time after consulting with two doctors. The pitcher could also reconsider and have surgery after the season.
Snitker did not give a timeline as to when Snitker, who was placed on the 60-day injured list on July 27, will begin throwing again. He is not eligible to be activated until Sept. 26.
Holmes is 4-9 with a 3.99 ERA and 123 strikeouts this season. He had 15 strikeouts in a game against the Colorado Rockies in June.
The Braves’ other Opening Day starters also are all on the injured list, with AJ Smith-Shawver out for the season after having Tommy John surgery.
Snitker said All-Star left-hander Chris Sale threw a bullpen session as he works his way back from a fractured rib. He is next scheduled to throw live batting practice.
Reynaldo Lopez, who was placed on the IL on March 29 with shoulder inflammation after one start, is playing catch, but Snitker said there is no timetable for his return.
Spencer Schwellenbach, who is recovering from a fractured elbow, has not resumed throwing.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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