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Arts & Entertainment

Deep Ellum bartender who 'never forgot a name' died in hit-and-run crash

Update June 12 at 12:38 p.m.: A 26-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with the hit-and-run that killed Deep Ellum bartender, Ian Brooks. Jessica Pratt was booked June 11 into the Dallas County Jail and faces a charge of accident involving death. Read on here for more information.

Original story:

Ian Brooks, a well-known bartender in Deep Ellum, died over the weekend after being ejected and killed while driving his motorcycle. He was 25 years old.

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Police reported that a man driving a black Harley Davidson motorcycle was struck from behind by a vehicle in North Dallas at 3:39 a.m. on May 19, according to a statement. The collision was ruled a hit-and-run.

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Police have not identified the victim of the accident, but Brooks' colleagues at Brick and Bones restaurant confirmed independently with the Dallas Medical Examiner's Office that he was involved. Technicians there identified a tattoo of the restaurant's logo on Brooks' body, according to Anton Schlesinger, who does marketing for Brick and Bones.

"We're hoping for accountability, to have some justice," said Cliff Edgar, the restaurant's owner.

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Brooks started as a barback at Brick and Bones and shortly thereafter became general manager because of his charisma, drive and passion for serving guests, he said.

Edgar called him "the face of Brick and Bones."

"You felt like you knew him the first time you met him," Edgar said. "He never forgot a face, he never forgot a name, he never forgot a cocktail."

As general manager, Brooks tended bar and took care of managerial duties after Brick and Bones closed at 2 a.m. It was typical he'd leave the business around 3:30 a.m., Edgar said. On Saturday morning, the Arlington native was headed to the house in Richardson that he shared with his girlfriend, Brandy Alexander. The two met while living in the same apartment complex in early 2017 and started dating in June of that year.

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"Meeting him was a turning point in my life because he taught me so much about integrity and trust," said Alexander by phone. "We built a solid foundation of love."

Ian Brooks and Brandy Alexander had been dating since June 2017.
Ian Brooks and Brandy Alexander had been dating since June 2017. (Brandy Alexander / Courtesy)

A GoFundMe page started on May 20 has raised more than $10,000 to help cover the cost of a funeral. Friends shared similar memories of Brooks on that page, describing him as "a light in so many people's lives" and "the most genuine, sweetest, optimistic person I have ever met."

Edgar recalled a time that Brooks heard about someone in Deep Ellum stealing women's purses, "ran out the door and caught the mugger," and held him until police got to the neighborhood.

Brooks "would face everything with a smile, knowing it would get better," Alexander said. "I can only hope one day, I can do the same."

Brooks' family could not be reached for comment. According to Alexander, he is survived by his father Dion and younger brothers Rhys and Kieran.

How to pay respects

Brick and Bones restaurant closed several days and reopened May 25, as staff members mourned the loss of their friend.

The restaurant is hosting a fundraiser on Tuesday, June 5 with a silent auction and commemorative t-shirt for sale. Proceeds will benefit Brooks father, brothers, girlfriend, and Brick and Bones. More info.