Parkland, Washington — A routine morning drive turned fatal when a young woman lost her life in a violent collision caused by a fleeing felon, leaving her family, friends, and community in shock. The victim, Paola Parbol, 20, was driving legally through an intersection Wednesday morning when another vehicle ran a red light and struck her with devastating force.
Authorities reported that the driver responsible, Donald Rownan, 47, had been out of prison for only two months and was already violating the terms of his community custody. Deputies had attempted to pull him over near 112th Street South and Ainsworth Avenue when he chose to flee, setting off a chain of events that ended tragically.
Rownan accelerated through Parkland streets at dangerously high speeds, ignoring traffic laws and public safety. Witnesses described seeing the Toyota Corolla driven by Parbol pass through the green light intersection just moments before the collision. The impact was so severe that Parbol was killed instantly, leaving the street littered with wreckage and horror.
Inside Rownan’s vehicle, two passengers were left injured from the crash. Authorities later found drug paraphernalia in the car, leading experts to believe Rownan was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time. Despite the devastation he caused, he fled the scene on foot, abandoning the injured and leaving a community searching for answers.
Parbol was a dedicated criminal justice student at Pacific Lutheran University and worked part-time at a local daycare, where she cared for children with warmth and compassion. Friends and colleagues remember her as kind, dependable, and full of promise. Her life, full of potential, was abruptly cut short by someone else’s reckless choices.
Police and prosecutors have since filed multiple charges against Rownan, including second-degree murder, vehicular homicide, and several traffic violations. Charging documents reveal that he displayed little accountability during questioning, even attempting to place blame on law enforcement for pursuing him during his flight.
The gravity of the incident shocked the Parkland community. Family, classmates, and neighbors gathered to mourn Parbol’s death and honor her memory. Her boyfriend, Gabriel Pangelinan, spoke at a court hearing, expressing heartbreak and outrage, saying, “He shouldn’t be free. He took the life of a woman I love.”
Investigators continue to piece together the events leading to the crash, reviewing traffic camera footage and eyewitness reports. Authorities emphasized the dangers posed by reckless driving, particularly when combined with substance abuse, and encouraged residents to report suspicious behavior on local roads.
A vigil was held at the crash site Thursday night, where candles, flowers, and heartfelt messages were left in memory of Parbol. Friends, family, and community members reflected on the bright future that was taken too soon, emphasizing the importance of safety and accountability on public streets.
As the investigation progresses and the legal process unfolds, Parkland mourns the loss of Paola Parbol, a promising young woman whose life was tragically ended in an avoidable tragedy. Authorities have pledged to pursue justice fully, and the community continues to rally around her loved ones in their grief.