Irving, Texas, police confirmed Saturday afternoon that Cowboys nose tackle Josh Brent has been arrested and charged with intoxication manslaughter after an early morning automobile accident that killed passenger Jerry Brown, a member of the team's practice squad, according to The Dallas Morning News. Late Saturday night, Brent released a statement through his agent expressing his remorse for Brown's death.
Brown was 25.
The Irving Police Department said in a statement (via PFT): "Officers at the scene believed alcohol was a contributing factor in the crash; therefore, Price-Brent [Brent's legal name is Josh Price-Brent] was asked to perform field sobriety tests. Based on the results of the tests, along with the officer’s observations and conversations with Price-Brent, he was arrested for driving while intoxicated. He was transported to an area hospital for a mandatory blood draw. Once it was learned that the passenger in his vehicle had died as a result of the crash, Price-Brent was booked into the Irving City Jail on one count of intoxication manslaughter."
Mike Fisher of 105.3 The Fan followed the story via Twitter:
U of Illinois now offering condolences in wake of death of #Cowboys Jerry Brown (in Brent accident) @1053thefan
— mike fisher (@fishsports) December 8, 2012
Of aide to #cowboys: FBI-background staffers and counselors aboard our team flight to Cincy @1053thefan
— mike fisher (@fishsports) December 8, 2012
#Cowboys team meeting on plane was 2nd of am to inform, aid players and staff
— mike fisher (@fishsports) December 8, 2012
Fisher added that "a dozen Cowboys partied together [Friday] night," and Brent and Brown, who played football together at the University of Illinois, were among them.
Following a DUI arrest in February 2009, Brent was suspended by then-Illini coach Ron Zook.
"We are deeply saddened by the news of this accident and the passing of Jerry Brown," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement. "At this time, our hearts and prayers and deepest sympathies are with the members of Jerry’s family and all of those who knew him and loved him."
The NFL also released a statement: "We have been in contact with the Cowboys and have deployed staff members and our independent professional counselors to assist the team in dealing with this tragedy. We are deeply saddened by the loss of Jerry Brown and extend our condolences to his family, friends, and the Cowboys organization."
Said Brent late Saturday night through his agent Peter Schaffer: "I am devastated and filled with grief. Filled with grief for the loss of my close friend and teammate, Jerry Brown. I am also grief-stricken for his family, friends and all who were blessed enough to have known him. I will live with this horrific and tragic loss every day for the rest of my life. My prayers are with his family, our teammates and his friends at this time."
Brent, 24, is in his third season with the Cowboys and has started five games this season.
The Cowboys play the Bengals in Cincinnati on Sunday.
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