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Atlanta Falcons running back Turner arrested for DUI

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ASSOCIATED PRESS
This photo provided by the The Gwinnett County (Ga.) Sheriff?s Department, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012, shows Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner. Turner has been arrested for drunken driving and speeding in metro Atlanta just hours after he scored a touchdown in the team's win over the Denver Broncos. Gwinnett County jail records show 30-year-old Turner was booked just after 5 a.m. Tuesday. He was released two hours later on $2,179 bond. (AP Photo/The Gwinett County (Ga.) Sheriff's Department)
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Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner (33) is hit by Denver Broncos free safety Rahim Moore (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 17, 2012, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

ATLANTA » Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner was jailed on charges of drunken driving and speeding early today, just hours after he scored a touchdown in the team’s win over the Denver Broncos.

Turner, 30, of Suwanee, Ga., was booked into the Gwinnett County jail in metro Atlanta just after 5 a.m. Turner spent barely two hours behind bars before he was released on $2,179 bond, jail records showed.

A Gwinnett County police officer pulled over Turner’s black Audi R8 on Interstate 85 northeast of Atlanta after clocking the car at 97 mph — 32 mph over the speed limit, said Cpl. Edwin Ritter, a police spokesman.

“The officer made contact with the driver who identified himself as 30-year-old Michael Turner of the Atlanta Falcons,” Ritter said in a news release. “The officer could smell an odor of alcoholic beverage coming from the driver and proceeded to conduct a DUI investigation.”

Ritter said the officer arrested Turner after a field sobriety test. The police incident report was not immediately available.

Hours before his arrest, Turner and the Falcons celebrated a 27-21 home victory over Payton Manning and the Denver Broncos.

“We are aware of the situation involving Michael and are in the process of gathering more information,” the Falcons said in a statement. “Because this is now a legal matter, the club will have no further comment at this time.”

Turner scored the Falcons’ first touchdown after jumping over a pileup of Atlanta and Denver linemen in the first quarter. It was Turner’s 51st touchdown for the Falcons, a franchise record.

Turner, who played at Northern Illinois during his college career, joined the Falcons in 2008 after four seasons with the San Diego Chargers. Last year, he rushed for 1,340 yards and 11 touchdowns.

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