Man accused of killing two in DUI crash found sobbing on the side of the road

A drunk driver involved in a crash that killed two people south of Spokane Valley early Saturday morning was found sobbing on the side of the road, saying it was his fault his friends were dead, according to court documents.

The crash happened on Highway 27 near Dishman-Mica Road just before 3 a.m. Saturday. The car missed a curve and went off the road, hit several trees and burst into flames. When a Washington State Patrol trooper arrived on scene he found 21-year-old Eddy N. Grant being tended to by paramedics as he sat hunched over, sobbing loudly and yelling that it was his fault, according to court documents.

Grant said he was “a loser” because he was “driving drunk,” the trooper wrote in court documents. The trooper described Grant’s intoxication as “obvious” and said Grant smelled strongly of alcohol and was slurring his words. His blood was drawn for testing to determine his blood alcohol level.

A witness reported that he had tried to help the passengers in the car but was driven back by the flames. The passengers have been identified as Taylor J. Parkins, 20, of Spokane Valley and Raymond M. Madrid, 21, also of Spokane Valley.

Madrid’s aunt has launched a Go Fund Me page to raise money for funeral expenses. She described Madrid as a “hard working young man with a bright future” and talented musician who loved writing his own music.

A page has also been set up for Parkins, with the family indicating that some of the money raised will be used to install a memorial bench in her honor at the Sullivan Park Care Center where she worked.

Grant is being held in the Spokane County Jail on two charges of vehicular homicide. His bond was set at $100,000 during a brief court appearance Thursday.