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Ex-Falcons running back fined, sentenced to probation for reckless driving

By Cailin O Brien
June 13, 2013

Former Falcons running back Michael Turner was sentenced to probation and fined $1,000 on Wednesday for the reckless driving charge he pleaded guilty to on Feb. 28 — a day before the team released him.

In September, a Gwinnett County police officer arrested Turner on DUI and speeding charges after he clocked the football player driving down I-85 at 97 mph — 32 mph over the speed limit, the AJC previously reported.

But Turner pleaded guilty to the reckless driving charge — a lesser charge — on Feb. 28 instead of being convicted of the DUI. He has been sentenced to 12 months, ordered to serve 30 days of community service and fined $1,000. He paid a $250 fine when he pleaded guilty to the speeding charge.

No teams have signed Turner since his release from the Falcons on March 1. He rushed for 1,699 yards his first season — and 800 in his last. Turner also fell to his career-low 3.6 yards per carry in his last season with the Falcons.

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