A FUTURE WIPED OUT: Justice for Paola Parbol

The Parkland community is submerged in a sorrow that is mixed with intense outrage following the death of Paola Parbol. At just 20 years old, Paola was a bright star—a diligent criminal justice student and a loving daycare worker—whose life was violently and unjustly extinguished. Her tragic, instant death was the result of a single, reckless, and criminal choice made by a man who decided his freedom was worth more than her life.

The Fatal Choice That Stole a Life

The facts of the crash are unforgivable. Donald Rownan, a man with a long criminal record and only two months removed from prison, chose to flee a traffic stop on Wednesday morning. In his desperate, high-speed escape, he ran a red light and violently smashed into Paola Parbol’s car. The impact killed her instantly. The devastation is further compounded by the suspicion that Rownan was under the influence of meth at the time—a terrifying cocktail of criminality and impaired judgment. Despite Rownan’s attempt to deflect blame onto the police for the pursuit, the truth remains: it was his decision to flee that killed Paola Parbol. His selfish act shattered an innocent life and earned him eight new charges, including second-degree murder.

A Promising Future Denied

Paola Parbol was the embodiment of hope and dedication. She was actively pursuing a degree in criminal justice, a powerful ambition for someone who already spent her days nurturing children at a local daycare. She was working to build a future, dedicated to service and community. That promising path was ended on impact. The loss felt by her university and her family is an immeasurable vacuum. The vigil held in her honor and the urgent fundraiser launched for her funeral are heartbreaking symbols of a community trying to cope with an unfixable wrong. She was deeply loved, and her absence is a gaping wound.

The Community Demands Accountability

As Donald Rownan faces charges, the community’s focus must remain fixed on honoring Paola’s memory and demanding absolute justice. Her death is a painful, urgent reminder of the devastating consequences of impaired driving and fleeing from law enforcement. We stand with Paola’s family, offering them comfort in their agony and ensuring her story becomes a powerful call for accountability. May Paola Parbol rest in peace, and may her promising life be the catalyst for holding dangerous criminals responsible for every life they shatter.