When the news broke earlier this week that Eddie Griffin died after driving his SUV into train, many people automatically assumed suicide. After all, Griffin's struggles with depression, alcoholism and erratic behavior were well known. But those who actually knew him, including his long-time friend Brandon Brigmam who was actually with Griffin earlier in the day he died, are unconvinced. From the Philadelphia Daily News:"It was like a normal day," [Brigman] said. "Eddie was smilin' and playin' around. He looked perfectly fine. If I thought he was troubled, I wouldn't have left him. That's what you do with friends - support them."As difficult as it may be to imagine someone accidentally driving through a barrier and into a train, it's not like Griffin would be the only person to make such a mistake: earlier this week in Ohio a teenager was so engrossed in sending a text message that he literally walked right into the path of an oncoming train -- he was thrown 50 feet but somehow survived.
Though thirdhand, information provided yesterday by one of Griffin's Houston-based lawyers, Derek Hollingsworth, also appears to indicate the crash was accidental.
Hollingsworth said he spoke Tuesday with Queen, Eddie's mother. In turn, he said, she'd received info from the mother of Eddie's daughter.
"Queen indicated the word from Jessica was that she was on the cell phone with Eddie shortly before the time he crashed," Hollingsworth said. "He said he was trying to get home, but was lost. The phone then went dead."
From the sounds of it, Griffin may have been talking on his cell phone at the time of the accident, which means he was already at least somewhat distracted. Unfortunately, we'll never know for sure. But just because a guy had some problems in his life doesn't mean anyone should automatically assume they were also responsible for his death.
