Athens, Georgia – Georgia wide receiver Nitro Tuggle found himself in trouble with the law after being pulled over for driving at a staggering speed of 107 mph on March 19. The sophomore from Goshen, Indiana was caught exceeding the speed limit by 42 mph on the Georgia State Route 10 Loop near Athens. Reports indicate that Tuggle was driving a 2021 Dodge Charger with his girlfriend as a passenger when he was stopped by the police.
According to the incident report from the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, Tuggle failed to stop in the designated shoulder area and instead halted in the right lane. The report also mentioned Tuggle’s reckless behavior by nearly exiting the vehicle without putting it in park when asked to do so. As a result, he was taken into custody and charged with misdemeanor reckless driving and speeding.
Following the incident, Georgia coach Kirby Smart took the necessary action and suspended both Tuggle and another player, freshman offensive lineman Marques Easley, indefinitely. Easley, hailing from Peoria, Illinois, had recently been arrested for crashing his Dodge Charger into a power distribution box in an apartment complex.
In addressing the situation, Smart expressed disappointment in the players’ actions, emphasizing the need for accountability and education on safe driving practices. This incident comes in the wake of a tragic accident in January 2023, where a Georgia football player and a recruiting staffer lost their lives in a car crash.
Smart highlighted the importance of ongoing education and discipline in ensuring the safety and well-being of the players. He stressed the need for continuous efforts in educating young athletes on responsible driving practices, underscoring the gravity of the consequences that can arise from reckless behavior behind the wheel.