BATON ROUGE — In a recent court ruling, the son of a former NFL player received a sentence of three years probation along with 250 hours of community service. Walter Andrew Brister IV, 24, entered a guilty plea in September concerning a hit-and-run incident that tragically resulted in the death of Jude Jarreau, a 44-year-old man. The incident occurred in October 2022 when Brister hit Jarreau with his vehicle but left the scene before law enforcement arrived.
Brister was initially facing a charge of negligent homicide. However, a grand jury decided not to pursue that charge, marking a significant turn in the case. Brister’s attorney, John McLindon, expressed that this incident will stay with his client for the rest of his life, stating, “He’s been in counseling for two years. He and the Brister family have suffered tremendously.” McLindon emphasized that the suffering experienced by the Jarreau family is immeasurable compared to the Bristers.
As part of his sentence, Brister must complete the 250 hours of community service approved by the court and adhere to the probation period of three years. Additionally, the court has directed him to speak with students, including the LSU Football team, about the serious consequences of drinking and driving, based on the request of Jarreau’s family. District Attorney Hillar Moore mentioned a fine of $5,000 has also been imposed on Brister, calling the case “tragic and emotional” for all involved.
The incident took place on October 9, 2022, when Brister struck Jarreau near Ben Hur Road and Burbank Drive. After fleeing the scene, Brister turned himself in to authorities several days later and was arrested for felony hit-and-run driving. This sad event has taken a toll not just on the families directly affected but also on the broader Baton Rouge community.
