Teens in deadly South Hill crash plead not guilty

Two teenagers were arraigned today on vehicular homicide charges connected to a Feb. 14 crash that killed a Lewis and Clark High graduate and Eastern Washington University student. Brooke A. Reese and Taylor D. Marean, both 18, pleaded not guilty in brief, back-to-back hearings before Superior Court Judge Ellen Kalama Clark. The teens were said to be racing when their cars collided on southbound Hatch Road near 54th Avenue early Feb. 14, killing Jacoby N. Bryant, 19. Bryant, a 2009 graduate of Lewis and Clark High graduate and student at Eastern Washington University, was a passenger in Reese’s 1999 Pontiac Grand Am when it collided with Marean’s 2005 BMW, then struck a tree, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. Reese reportedly admitted to drinking four shots of Vodka at a party near 25th and Grand before the deadly crash. The two are to be booked and released from the Spokane County Jail by Friday. Trials were scheduled for Sept. 7, though Marean’s attorney indicated it likely would be delayed. Past coverage: May 28: Documents give new details on deadly crash April 27: Charges in deadly crash on hold for school April 5: Charges recommended in crash that killed teen