Dallas Cowboys nose tackle Josh Brent has been arrested following a fatal one-car accident that took the life of Cowboys practice squad player Jerry Brown, according to various reports.
Brent is being charged with intoxication manslaughter in the death of Brown, according to WFAA-TV in Dallas. According to the Dallas Morning News, Brent’s vehicle flipped over after hitting the curb on East State Highway 114.
Cowboys players were told about Brown’s death early Saturday afternoon, via Richie Whitt of CBSDFW.com.
“We are deeply saddened by the news of this accident and the passing of Jerry Brown,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement, via ESPN Dallas. “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.”
A police spokesman would not initially confirm the charges to USA Today Sports.
Both Brent and Brown were teammates at the University of Illinois. Illini coach Tim Beckman tweeted his condolences after learning of Brown’s death.
@coachbeckman
Tim Beckman
According to The Associated Press, Brent pleaded guilty to DUI in 2009 and was sentenced to 60 days in jail, two years probation, 200 hours of community service and a fine.
MORE FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS:
IRVING, Texas — Dallas Cowboys practice-squad linebacker Jerry Brown was killed in a one-car accident Saturday and teammate Josh Brent was charged with intoxication manslaughter.
Irving police spokesman John Argumaniz said the accident happened about 2:20 a.m. Saturday in the Dallas suburb. Brent was speeding when the vehicle hit a curb and flipped at least once, Argumaniz said.
Argumaniz says the 25-year-old Brown was found unresponsive at the scene and pronounced dead at a hospital.
The police spokesman says officers conducted a field sobriety test on Brent and arrested him. The charge was upgraded after Brown was pronounced dead.
“We are deeply saddened by the news of this accident and the passing of Jerry Brown,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement released by the team. “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 team said in a statement that Brent was not on the team flight to Cincinnati, where the Cowboys play the Bengals on Sunday.
Brent has played in all 12 games this season and has been a bigger presence on defense with starting nose guard Jay Ratliff battling injuries. He made his first career start the season opener against the New York Giants and has 35 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks.
The Cowboys signed Brown to their practice squad Oct. 24, but he hasn’t been on the active roster.
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