Motorcyclist faces homicide charge

A Spokane motorcyclist has been charged with vehicular homicide after after a crash Friday that killed his sister, officials said Monday.

Phyllis Kay Darrough, 34, died Saturday of injuries sustained in the crash at Fifth Avenue and Lee Street in Spokane, police said. The Spokane County prosecutor’s office charged Darrough’s brother, Lamont Brooks.

About 4 p.m. Friday, Brooks and his sister were eastbound on Fifth Avenue on the motorcycle when a car crossed north at Lee Street, Spokane police Cpl. Dave Adams said.

Witnesses told police Brooks was going 50 mph to 70 mph when he put on the brakes to avoid the car, which had the right of way, police said. Brooks and Darrough were thrown from the motorcycle. Darrough was taken to Deaconess Medical Center and died several hours later, police said. Brooks suffered minor injuries. Police searched Brooks after the crash and found a small quantity of cocaine, Adams said.