It’s been more than three years since UVU student Isabelle Parr was hit and killed while crossing a Provo road, and the case remains unsolved. As the city brings safety improvements to the area previously described as ‘dangerous’ by locals, they’ve worked in a touching tribute to Parr.
Loved ones said the 21-year-old was crossing the road near the 820 North bridge when she was hit by a dark-colored pick-up truck that left the scene.
The night of December 1, 2022 is imprinted in the minds of some Provo locals.
“This whole area is notoriously dangerous,” said Jacob Brooks, a member of the non-profit BikeWalk Provo, which advocates for safer streets. “It was dangerous from the start.”
Some who live near the bridge, like Brooks, witnessed the aftermath of the deadly crash there.
“It was hard to see," he said. "That’s somebody’s daughter, that’s somebody’s friend."
Crime
Who killed Provo jogger Isabelle Parr? Police still searching
For Isabelle's father, Matt, the tragedy has changed the lives of everyone in the family
“She was a recently returned missionary from the Wichita, Kansas mission,” said Matt.
It was on that mission where Isabelle discovered a love for sunflowers.
“Up at her gravesite, we keep sunflowers there all year round,” her father shared.
Plans to change the area where the incident occurred have long been deliberated.
“This has been in the works for about 10 to 15 years,” said project manager David Michelsen. “That unfortunate tragedy happened during that time frame where we had plans, we secured funding.”
It wasn’t until November that the city was able to get started. Provo’s public works team made key changes to widen sidewalks and dead-end some concerning roadways.
“Specifically the intersection where Isabelle was killed,” Brooks said. “It was a dangerous one to turn on.”
“We’re getting the final touches on the project here,” Michelsen said.
As teams wrap up the project and reopen the area to the public within the next few weeks, they’ve collaborated with Matt Barr to make Isabelle a part of these final touches as well.
“It felt like the natural thing to do,” said Michelsen.
Sunflowers are forever etched into the bridge, which is soon to be a year-round symbol of safety for passersby.
“I hope they see that, Isabelle’s life, she didn’t die in vain,” said Brooks. “Her legacy will live on through safer streets.”
Parr's loved ones hope this will be a perennial reminder of the fact they’re still seeking answers.
“We just don’t know,” said her father. “We’re just kind of left hanging.”
Matt Parr said the family isn’t concerned with punishing anyone; they’re simply trying to find solace for themselves at long last.
“The first thing we thought of was that we’d forgive whoever was involved in the accident,” he said.
When the area reopens to travel, the sunflower designs can be seen off both sides of the bridge that sits just above the Provo River.
