Dallas Cowboy's DUI arrest in death of teammate

Updated 6:47 PM ET

IRVING, Texas Dallas Cowboys nose tackle Josh Brent has been arrested and charged with intoxication manslaughter stemming from a late night crash that resulted in the death of a teammate.

CBS Station KTVT reports that Jerry Brown Jr., a 25-year old currently on the Cowboys' practice roster, was killed in the accident.

Irving police spokesman John Argumaniz said the accident happened about 2:20 a.m. Saturday in the Dallas suburb, hours before Brent was to be on a team flight to Cincinnati for the Cowboys' game Sunday against the Bengals.

When police arrived, Brent was responsive and able to speak with officers. Brown was unresponsive and was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Officers conducted a field sobriety test on Brent and arrested him on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, Argumaniz said. The charge, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison, was upgraded after Brown was pronounced dead.

Argumaniz said Brent, who pleaded guilty to a drunken driving charge three years ago at Illinois, was being held without bond. Brent is named as Joshua Price-Brent in the police news release. Argumaniz also said Brent missed a 10 a.m. Saturday booking session with a judge because he was intoxicated. He did not know if Brent had an attorney.

Brent was speeding when the vehicle hit a curb and flipped at least once, Argumaniz said. Police received 911 calls from motorists who saw the upside-down vehicle but they did not immediately have any eyewitnesses to the wreck, the police spokesman said.

Argumaniz said when officers arrived at the scene on a state highway service road, Brent was dragging Brown from the vehicle, a Mercedes, which was on fire. Officers quickly put out the small blaze, he said.

Argumaniz wasn't sure if the vehicle was a car or SUV and said it wasn't known how fast the vehicle was traveling. The road has a 45 mph limit.

"I can say investigators are certain they were traveling well above the posted speed limit," Argumaniz said.

Before he was taken to the jail, Brent went to a hospital for a blood draw for alcohol testing and also received treatment for some minor scrapes.

Argumaniz said Brent identified himself to officers as a Cowboys player.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones issued at statement to the media saying: "We are deeply saddened by the news of this accident and the passing of Jerry Brown. 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 has appeared in 12 games this season and recorded 22 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

The two were teammates at the University of Illinois.

CBSSports.com reported that, while at Illinois, Brent had been suspended from the team after his arrest in February 2009 in Urbana for driving under the influence.

In June 2009, Brent pleaded guilty to DUI and was sentenced to 60 days in jail, two years of probation, 200 hours of community service and a fine of about $2,000. As part of his plea deal, prosecutors dropped one count of aggravated DUI/no valid driver's license. Brent successfully completed his probation in July 2011, court records show.

Brent, a nose guard, has played in all 12 games this season and has been a bigger presence on defense with starter Jay Ratliff battling injuries. Brent made his first career start in 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. He was released from the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad Oct. 20. Brown played in one game for the Colts, a loss to the New York Jets on Oct. 14.

"On behalf of the entire Colts family, our sincerest condolences go out to Jerry's family and friends," Colts general manager Ryan Grigson said in a statement. "He was a good teammate that was well liked by all. Today's tragic news is just another reminder of how fragile life is and how everyday given is a gift."

Brown played for San Antonio in the Arena Football League this year. In 2011, he played for Jacksonville in the AFL and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Canadian Football League.

He was born and grew up in St. Louis, attending Vashon High School.

[ShannonChristi]

For both men and their families. I can only say my heart hurts for all of you. It's too easy for us to judge and call our judgement. Thankfully most of us will never have to face this judgement. We should be grateful for that fact. I hope both families can find peace at this time of grieving. Christi

[takacrat]

I feel that they need to band Football, If there wasn't any football Teams then we can be like Russia and not only these upstanding Citizens would still be alive but they may be Big Rap Stars!!

[dholdencsr]

Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified.

[CONCERNEDMNMOM]

What do we need to do as a society to stop this epidemic of driving under the influence?? This mother was so sad to hear of this tragic event. Brent CHOSE to drink and drive and killed his best friend. Unfortunately, our family fell victim to drunk drivers in 2009. May 2009 my eldest son was driving home from work and hit by a woman DWI. That was not the end of our experience. Halloween October 31 st 2009 our 18 yr old son was a pedestrian walking with his freshman college friends and was hit n run over by a 26 yr old woman driving drunk. Receiving a telephone call at 3:34am from a trauma surgeon about broke our hearts. Our son was in a coma sustained a severe traumatic brain injury and other injuries. We are one of the blessed families that did not have to bury our son(s) Instead, today our 21 yr old son lives with a brain injury with limited short term memory recall, he requires 24 hour supervision and care.
Our families new Purpose and God's new plan is to share our story in Hope that lives will be saved. You will find Alex's full story at www.caringbridge.org/visit/alexballuff May God Bless the Brown family and the Dallas Cowboy's they All need our prayers and Kindness!

[JHill205]

Dear Mom,
My heart goes out to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers go out to the friends, families and team mates. Having had to deliver news like this I too am left to wonder. But I also question - what is the solution? Prohibition did not work before nor do I believe it would work now. I do not believe society would accept not having their bars, clubs and pubs. Education seems the right path but there already is so much that goes on in schools one would think that none of our youth would ever grow up, drink and drive a car. But alas, it still happens. If you come up with something, anything, please let me know. I would be glad to never have to make that visit to a parent's house again. Peace be with you. -John

[CONCERNEDMNMOM]

Dear John,
Thank you for the reply below and for the work you do each day. What I have learned over the past three years is that alcholol it self, in moderation, is usually not the killer. The person who gets behind the wheel of a motor vehicle under the influence is the problem! Teaching and encouraging our nation of good and loving American citizens to call a taxi, pre assign a sober driver, offer to be a sober ride home ANYTIME for friends, relatives, and even strangers. If you're fortunate enough to be an admired athlete and NFL player, loose your pride, be humble, and use the free telephone number that NFL players receive from the league to get home safe. Finally, our laws do need to be tougher. On average in MN an individual drives under the influence 80 times before they are caught. Thank you for allowing our families journey to be shared and our voice to be heard. With a humble heart, sending ....My Kind Regards

[twisted93]

So I'm wondering if there will be a halftime opinion made to call for the ban of automobiles or alcohol.
It's obvious if he hadn't had a car this would have never happened.

[rnrstar]

Right, because things would be so much better if criminals, crazy people, and unsupervised children had their own guns to play with. Just like it would be nice to get every drunk in the nation driving on the roads. Good stuff. Can't wait.

[TnMuse]

It doesn't matter what the statistics are, one death from drunk driving is one two many.

Just as you do, others have the right to live. Please don't take away their right by getting behind the wheel when your reflexes and judgement are impaired.

I'm sure this man is crushed inside for what happened to his team-mate and friend. He will suffer all of his life right along with the family of the man who died. All that pain that could have been avoided with just a little common sense and thought for his fellow man.

[trubluthrunthru]

ok LEGALBUTNOTJUST; you ask the stupid question and then proceeded to write a totally ignorant comment about how false all the numbers are about Driving under the influence... First oof al I worked as a Police officer for almost 20 years and you have NO clue what you are talking about and obviously no common sense about the destruction of Drinking and driving or Drugs and driving...

It is a horrible crime and tragedy for all involved, and here are some numbers you can try to say they are fake too if you want but they are REAL very real. I have dealt with more deaths and injuries from some ignorant fool that chose to drive under the influence than I care to remember. And it is not this idiot that was driving that I feel bad for, its his family that will suffer a lifetime while he lives in prison and realizes he lost a career many dream of, Its the guy he killed that lost everything as well and his family that will suffer, its the officer that had to work the scene and has to live with that in his head for the rest of his life and all others involved and for the team that was counting on him being a man and doing his job like a man is supposed to do.

Sometimes maybe one should use their head before making uninformed comments about something that is so tragic and effects so many

• One person is killed every half-hour due to drunk driving
• Each year approximately 16,000 are killed in alcohol related crashes
• Alcohol is a factor in almost half of all traffic fatalities
• Every two minutes a person is seriously injured in an alcohol related crash

And as for God, that you both chose to bring into this, maybe if this guy would have had focused on God a little more than what he was doing maybe he wouldn't have ruined his life and taken this other guys life away. Maybe if our society would get back to seeking God the way it did when this country was built and grew into the worlds super power rather instead of so many idiots saying there is no God and living like the devil, maybe our country wouldn't be in the mess it is in now if God was the center of our focus once again. You can say there is no God all you choose but friend one day every knee shall bow and that includes all the idiots that want to live like satan so they hope there is no God. they will all be sadly surprised on that final day, So they better hope they are right because the consequences are going to be eternal and there is no forgiveness at that time. Good day Seek the truth and stop being an idiot

[Zubert29]

If you do the simple math you would realize 16000 is not the right number if it's every 36 minutes. Just saying!!!

[LVwidow]

This driver probably will have a career because in the NFL you can go to prison and come back and play. He probably will get the minimum, depending on how much Dallas Cowboys want him back. It is really stupid to have a history of DUI and keep doing the same dumb thing. But the drunks keep drinking, driving and killing.

Yes, God is real. I am glad we agree on that one.

[trubluthrunthru]

ok LEGALBUTNOTJUST; you ask the stupid question and then proceeded to write a totally ignorant comment about how false all the numbers are about Driving under the influence... First oof al I worked as a Police officer for almost 20 years and you have NO clue what you are talking about and obviously no common sense about the destruction of Drinking and driving or Drugs and driving...

It is a horrible crime and tragedy for all involved, and here are some numbers you can try to say they are fake too if you want but they are REAL very real. I have dealt with more deaths and injuries from some ignorant fool that chose to drive under the influence than I care to remember. And it is not this idiot that was driving that I feel bad for, its his family that will suffer a lifetime while he lives in prison and realizes he lost a career many dream of, Its the guy he killed that lost everything as well and his family that will suffer, its the officer that had to work the scene and has to live with that in his head for the rest of his life and all others involved and for the team that was counting on him being a man and doing his job like a man is supposed to do.

Sometimes maybe one should use their head before making uninformed comments about something that is so tragic and effects so many

• One person is killed every half-hour due to drunk driving
• Each year approximately 16,000 are killed in alcohol related crashes
• Alcohol is a factor in almost half of all traffic fatalities
• Every two minutes a person is seriously injured in an alcohol related crash

And as for God, that you both chose to bring into this, maybe if this guy would have had focused on God a little more than what he was doing maybe he wouldn't have ruined his life and taken this other guys life away. Maybe if our society would get back to seeking God the way it did when this country was built and grew into the worlds super power rather instead of so many idiots saying there is no God and living like the devil, maybe our country wouldn't be in the mess it is in now if God was the center of our focus once again. You can say there is no God all you choose but friend one day every knee shall bow and that includes all the idiots that want to live like satan so they hope there is no God. they will all be sadly surprised on that final day, So they better hope they are right because the consequences are going to be eternal and there is no forgiveness at that time. Good day Seek the truth and stop being an idiot

[Zubert29]

Well you are worshiping a God who drinks..

[spartyb]

is bob costas is gonna go on a rant against cars now?

[nytosf]

I'm going to pull a AA on your butt. Story's like this will bring out the worst comment's from people. The thing is, because of story's like this,it should push for all not to drink & drive. Don't make this sacrifice for not..It shows it can happen to most anyone or someone you do care about.
Have fun & safe Holiday's.