NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans City Councilmember Jared Brossett said he will seek medical help after he was arrested Sunday morning for driving under the influence.
In a statement to media, Brossett said that he will enter into an in-patient treatment program Monday after discussions with his family and doctor.
"I want to sincerely apologize to my family, particularly my mother, my colleagues, the citizens of New Orleans, all those involved and everyone I have disappointed," Brossett said. "To all of those I have let down, I cannot express how profoundly sorrowful I am."
Brossett added that he is asking for prayers "as I commit myself to the hard work of becoming a better person."
The statement did not say if he was considering resigning from his seat on the council.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said she has reached out to Brossett and offered her support.
"I have expressed that to him, whatever he needs if I can help, he has it," Cantrell said.
New Orleans Councilmembers Jay Banks, Cyndi Nguyen and Kristin Gisleson Palmer released a joint statment saying that alcoholism is a disease and that they hope their colleague gets the help he needs.
"There is no excuse for driving while impaired," the joint statement said. "We are relieved that no one was killed or seriously injured, but Jared must be held accountable for his actions."
City Council Vice President Helena Moreno released a statement saying that she is there to support Brossett in his recovery and will help take care of his district while he's receiving treatment.
"In regards to Council operations, I believe we must thoughtfully review our policies for improvements on take-home vehicles for all City employees," Moreno said. "During Jared's absence, the Council President and I are committed to working and lending our support to the District D office to ensure that constituent needs are met, and his other responsibilities are covered."
Council President Jason Williams said that he will assume the chair of the Emergency Preparedness and Cyber Security Committee while Brossett is seeking treatment and Moreno will assume the Budget Chair.
"We will also continue, from our at-large posts, to work with our colleagues to ensure there are no missed steps and that District D continues to receive quality and uninterrupted service from the Council," he said.
Brossett was booked on a drunk-driving charge Sunday morning after his city-owned vehicle reportedly jumped a neutral ground and crashed into an oncoming car on Elysian Fields Avenue.
The Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate reports that police took Brossett to University Medical Center after the crash where he was treated for minor injuries but refused a breath-alcohol test. The newspaper cites an anonymous source that said he performed poorly on a field sobriety test and appeared intoxicated.
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