Atlanta Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna pleads no contest in reckless driving case

NORCROSS, Ga. — A traffic stop case against an Atlanta Braves outfielder and designated hitter has been resolved.

Channel 2 Action News obtained Norcross Municipal Court records that show Marcell Ozuna entered a no contest plea, also known as “nolo contendere” in Georgia, to a reckless driving charge.

Ozuna had to pay a $1,000 fine as part of the agreement, which was signed on March 30.

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In August 2022, Norcross police arrested Ozuna on charges of driving under the influence and failure to maintain lane after a traffic stop on Beaver Ruin Road. The DUI charge was later dropped.

The officer wrote the road has a speed limit of 35 mph and he estimated Ozuna’s car was traveling “well over this.” The officer wrote he had to “reach speeds of approximately 90 MPH to catch up to the vehicle.”

Channel 2′s Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson obtained the officer’s body camera video. Ozuna could be heard on the video trying to convince the officer that he hadn’t been drinking much.

“What have you been drinking? Beer?” the officer asked Ozuna. “How many?”

“Three, four,” Ozuna said.

“If I’m drunk, I don’t drive,” Ozuna told the officer on the video.

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The Braves said in their August statement that they were taking Ozuna’s arrest “very seriously and (we) are obviously disappointed by the situation.”

Ozuna returned to the field for the Braves a few days after his arrest where he was met with boos from fans.

The boos have continued into this season. Before Tuesday’s series with the Boston Red Sox, Ozuna is batting a .146 average with nine RBI and six home runs.

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Editor’s note: A previous version of this article stated that Ozuna entered a no contest plea in a driving under the influence case. The DUI charge was dropped. This has been corrected.

Police: Marcell Ozuna had ‘red/watery eyes’ as he was pulled over for doing 90 in 35 mph zone

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