McLennan County DA Office solves 16-year-old deadly hit and run case

Waco, TX ( FOX 44 ) – The McLennan County District Attorney’s Office has closed a 16-year-old cold case involving the death of Bree Breichner.

Breichner died in a hit-and-run crash in Bruceville-Eddy in 2008. She was 17 years old.

Gregory McLean accepted a plea deal to serve four years in prison in the hit-and-run of Breichner’s death.

The McLennan County District Attorney’s Office says McLean confessed to killing Briechner after investigators gathered more forensic evidence and witness statements.

“We’re able to put them into that truck. We’re able to make that happen and connect the damage to their vehicle consistent with what would have taken place at the crime scene,” said Will Hix, McLennan County Assistant District Attorney.

McLean and his wife Jackie both pleaded guilty on two counts of Manslaughter and Failure to Stop and Render Aid involving the death. The sentences for both of these offenses can go up to 20 years behind bars.

Hix says their office was confident in taking this case to trial.

“We’re also aware of the challenges that come along with a case like this one, so the result is something we certainly stand by as being a good result for this case, because what we’re dealing with in any cold case, and this one particularly, is a challenge. It’s an uphill battle,” said Hix.

Hix mentioned how old evidence, fuzzy memories and witnesses no longer available could have caused challenges if this case was presented in front of a jury.

After 16 years of work, Hix says it took a lot of collaboration to now have an answer.

“It’s been a long road and a difficult one, but everybody who’s had this case from start to finish has done an incredible job to get us to where we are,” said Hix.

The agreement for Jackie McLean’s tie in the hit-and-run is still being evaluated.

The Probation Department is recommending that Jackie gets deferred adjudication for a judge to make a decision.

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