Son of former NFLer Bubby Brister pleads guilty to tragic hit-and-run
PUBLICATION
River Hawk
September 27, 2024 (10:15 PM)
SHARE THIS STORY
Photo credit: WAFB
After causing the untimely loss of Jude Jarreau nearly two years ago, the son of retired NFLer "Bubby" Brister, Walter Andrew Brister IV has pleaded guilty in court to a hit-and-run.
Walter Andrew Brister III, better known as "Bubby" Brister, is best known for his time in the NFL, playing 99 games in the league between 1986 and 2000. Though he was part of five teams, including the Denver Broncos, with whom he won two consecutive Super Bowls, the retired quarterback was most famous for his tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he spent half his career. Among his most impressive feats was throwing the longest pass a member of the Steelers threw at the Three Rivers Stadium.
Unfortunately, "Bubby" Brister has been in the spotlight for more horrific reasons involving his son. On Saturday, October 8th, Walter Andrew Brister IV hit 44-year-old father of two Jude Jarreau on Ben Hur road near LSU and fled the scene. Jarreau, sadly, lost his life. Yet, according to the former NFLer's son and his attorney John McLindon, he was unaware he was the driver responsible and notified authorities immediately after learning of his involvement. He turned himself in a few days later when courts re-opened and subsequently posted a $10,000 bail.
"The attorney for Walter Andrew Brister IV, the Louisiana Tech student who hit and killed a man on Ben Hur Road last Saturday, said his client did not realize he was the person responsible until the following morning.
Attorney John McLindon says he notified authorities 'within hours' of the accident about his client's involvement in the death of 44-year-old pedestrian Jude Jarreau. He says all parties agreed that Brister would wait to turn himself in on Wednesday, mainly because Monday was a holiday and the courts would be closed.
He posted bond and was released from parish prison just before 7 p.m. Wednesday."
His immediate ability to post bail and seeming lack of care upon leaving jail left many believing he would get out of felony charges. Yet, Walter Andrew Brister IV has finally had his day in court and pleaded guilty to the charges he was presented nearly two years ago. Though he has the possibility of serving no time behind bars, there is a maximum sentence of ten years to be served starting October 11th.
"Brister IV appeared in court Wednesday morning where he pleaded guilty to a charge of felony hit-and-run. He will be sentenced on October 11, where he faces anywhere from zero to 10 years in prison."
There have been no indications that intoxicants or other factors impaired Walter Andrew Brister IV's driving. Yet, it is hard to believe anyone who can hit a fully-grown man with an SUV and not know about it, and any such person should never be behind the wheel. Hopefully, the courts make the right decision on behalf of the late Jude Jarreau and his surviving family, who have suffered the most through this excruciating judicial process.