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Tribune wires, staff report3:31 p.m. CST, December 8, 2012
Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Josh Brent was arrested and charged with manslaughter on Saturday after practice squad teammate Jerry Brown Jr. was killed in the crash of a car driven by Brent, police said. Both formerly played at Illinois.
Police in the Dallas suburb of Irving said that Brent, 24, was driving at a high speed on a state highway at 2:21 a.m. when the car slammed into an "outside curb, causing the vehicle to flip at least one time before coming to rest in the middle of the service road."
Brown, 25, who was in the passenger seat, was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital a short time later. He was a linebacker on the professional team's practice squad.
Brent, referred to in the police report as Joshua Price-Brent, failed a sobriety test and was booked into Irving jail charged with manslaughter for driving while intoxicated. He had emerged as a starter for the Cowboys this year after Jay Ratliff, the team's starting defensive tackle, suffered injuries.
"We are deeply saddened by the news of this accident and the passing of Jerry Brown," team 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."
Brent and Brown were teammates at Illinois from 2007-09 under then-coach Ron Zook. Brent was suspended in 2009 after a DUI arrest.
An Illinois spokesman issued this statement: "This is a tragic story. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the Brown family."
Illinois coach Tim Beckman tweeted: "Sad News for the illini family today. Jerry Brown, former illini and current NFL player has passed away. Keep him in your prayers."
Former teammate Arrelious Benn tweeted: "Prayers go out to the family of my former classmate, teammate Former Illini Jerry Brown. RIP. #Illini"
