Driver, suspect pleads not guilty in sidewalk killing

The driver suspected of steering an SUV onto a north Spokane sidewalk –  killing a 68-year-old woman and narrowly missing her great-grandson – pleaded not guilty to a vehicular homicide charge Tuesday in Spokane County Superior Court.

Brandon P. Pratt, 34, is suspected of being intoxicated when the black Ford Explorer he was driving veered off North Ruby Street near Augusta Avenue and struck Marla Langley, who was taking her 2-year-old great-grandson to day care on July 28.

According to court records, Pratt told police he had smoked marijuana and the synthetic drug “spice” earlier in the morning and that there may have been methamphetamine in his system. Police reported finding a packet of spice and a glass pipe in his pocket.

Court records say Pratt was on probation for separate harassment and assault cases. He returned from working as a fisherman in Alaska the week before the crash and was living at Sun Ray Court, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center on South Browne Street. Pratt has lived in Spokane most of his life and at Sun Ray Court once before, court records say.

Pratt is being held in the Spokane County Jail on a $500,000 bond. He has a 21-year criminal history as a juvenile and adult that includes convictions for car thefts, drugs, reckless driving, driving under the influence, robbery, assault, reckless endangerment and weapons charges.

Langley’s four children attended Pratt’s arraignment Tuesday. Her eldest son, Keven Langley, called for authorities to file additional charges against Pratt. He also called for charges against Johnny Dolen, who owns the Explorer and was a passenger in the SUV at the time of the crash. According to court records, Dolen told police Pratt had been smoking something in the car and wouldn’t tell him what it was.

“I think the owner of the vehicle, who knew (Pratt) was impaired, should be charged as an accomplice,” Keven Langley said.