Relatives, friends remember 24-year-old who died in Spokane crash

Friends and family of Chancer Prouty who gathered Tuesday night at the scene of the crash that took his life remembered him as a young man full of life and laughter.

Prouty was driving home around 1:30 a.m. Sunday after spending the night celebrating his 24th birthday with friends. His car left Riverside Avenue just east of the Maple Street Bridge and tumbled down a steep embankment leading into Peaceful Valley. Prouty was thrown from the car and died at the scene. Police spokeswoman Monique Cotton said police believe Prouty was speeding.

Tuesday night, crime scene tape still was woven through a chain-link fence at the top of the embankment. The fence was also adorned with bouquets of flowers.

“He was full of life,” said his mother, Corinna Prouty-Smith.

His stepfather, Kevin Smith, raised Prouty since he was 5 years old.

“He liked being around friends,” Smith said. “He loved going out and having a good time.”

Smith said Prouty was speeding and Smith urged other drivers to slow down. Police are waiting for toxicology reports to determine if Prouty had been drinking, Smith said.

“If you’ve got an adult kid, hug them,” he said.

About 60 people turned out for Tuesday’s candlelight vigil in his honor.

“He was very loved,” Smith said. “He touched a lot of lives.”

Prouty grew up in the area and attended Cheney High School and Spokane Falls Community College. He dreamed of being a model and actor and often worked out in the gym, Prouty-Smith said.

Tarra Sloan had been best friends with Prouty since the two met at Cheney Elementary School at the age of 9. She moved out of her apartment Saturday and told her friend that she was too tired to attend his birthday celebration.

“I told him I wasn’t going to be able to make it and we made plans for the next day,” she said as she fought back tears.

Sloan said Prouty always was positive and gave great advice. “Every day was a good day,” she said.

Nich Witham said he dated Prouty for two years and the two remained friends even after they broke up a few months ago. Prouty had a silly side and the two invented their own language of cat meows, Witham said.

“He had the heart of an 8-year-old boy,” Witham said. “He always wanted to be known. He had so much to give and I think he knew that.”

A funeral is planned for 2 p.m. Friday at the Linwood Seventh-day Adventist Church at 6525 N. Monroe St.