PARKLAND, Wash. — Student athletes at Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) in Parkland are joining an effort in Pierce County to combat impaired and distracted driving, an initiative that has taken on added urgency following the death of a fellow student in October.

Paula Parbol, 20, a PLU student, was killed in mid-October when a driver believed to be impaired ran a red light at 80 mph while fleeing from law enforcement, striking her car just over a mile from campus as she drove to class.

The campaign, organized by the Blue Zones Project Parkland/Spanaway , was already underway before the fatal crash, but organizers say the tragedy underscores how quickly reckless driving can change lives.

Residents in Parkland report frequent dangerous driving in the area.

"We see people speeding, t

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