Taylorsville Neighbors Show Support For Crash Victims With Pink Ribbons
Jul 29, 2020, 9:46 PM | Updated: Jul 30, 2020, 12:18 am
TAYLORSVILLE, Utah – Community members came together and tied pink ribbons across a Taylorsville neighborhood to show their support and mourn after a 2-year-old girl was killed in a crash on 3200 West.
“We had heard what had happened and we were devastated, and then hearing it’s literally someone we know — it’s just unimaginable,” said Jayme Poer.
Neighbors said the crash hit home for a lot of parents, and many of them wondered what they could do to help.
Along with a small memorial at the site of the crash, pink ribbons have been tied throughout the neighborhood to show the grieving family they’re not alone.
Neighbors said it’s all they can do to show their love.
“It’s really cool that we can do something kind of pretty small, but everyone wants to be a part of it,” said neighbor Aleese Vranes.
Community members rallied Wednesday to cut and tie the ribbons, hanging them on trees and mailboxes.
For them, this tragedy hits home. They said many families often walk down 3200 West to a nearby park.
“It’s super common — one of the moms who was here tying ribbons says she walked it yesterday morning,” said Poer.
“It feels like it could be anyone,” said Vranes. “Anyone who is out on a walk to have your life shattered and changed in a moment.”
Police said a driver slammed on the brakes as a dog ran across 3200 West near 5000 South Tuesday afternoon. That’s when a truck plowed into the car from behind, sending it on a collision course toward the mother, who was pushing her 2-year-old twins in a stroller.
When words just won’t do- a community comes together looking to mend 💔. Pink ribbons 🎀 in memory of the 2-year-old twin killed in yesterday’s crash. Police say her sister remains in critical cond., mom asked to be released to be by her side. @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/7BqjjFsbWd
— Garna Mejia KSL (@GarnaMejiaKSL) July 29, 2020
One of the twins died and the other remained hospitalized in critical condition. The 42-year-old mother asked to be released to be with her daughter.
Neighbors described the children as happy, 2-year-old girls.
“One of (the teens that babysat the twins) was just saying the one that passed away, she just loved to fall backward and come back up … and she would just giggle,” said Vranes.
With each ribbon, community members hoped their neighbor would feel she is not alone.
“It brings it into perspective that at any moment our lives could change and we just feel so much empathy for her,” said Vranes.
Police were looking into whether the truck driver’s speed played a factor in the crash.