Heather Lambrou never expected she would be attending her little brother's funeral on a warm, November Saturday.
But, rather than stay at home with her pain the night before Michael Lambrou's services, the 19-year-old held a candlelight vigil at the corner where he died.The large sign was painted by Michael Lambrou's friend, Reece Mackey. It tells drivers in the cars whizzing past on a dark, Friday night that three people died at the intersection of 2200 West and 5400 South.
Three crosses, flowers, candles and the small picture of a smiling Michael Lambrou in a black tuxedo are testaments to Heather Lambrou's pain.
"He was a really talented artist, and everybody loved him," she said. "He was nice to everybody."
Michael Lambrou and Lonnie James, both 18 and friends from Kearns, were driving home from watching videos at a friend's house early in the morning of Nov. 14 when a truck ran a red light and smashed into them in the intersection.
The driver of the truck, Daniel K. Riggs, 24, had a suspended driver's license for alcohol violations and was allegedly trying to elude a Utah Highway Patrol trooper at the time of the crash.
Michael Lambrou and Lonnie James died that day. Kevin Smithson, 20, Millcreek, a passenger in the truck, died Wednesday.
Heather Lambrou still can't comprehend how this happened to her brother, a graduate of Cottonwood High School in his first year at Salt Lake Community College.
It also angers her that people thought somehow her brother was involved in the kind of activity that the passengers in the truck allegedly were - namely, a "smash and grab" burglary at a gas station earlier that morning.
"I was not only his sister, I was his friend," Heather said. "I hung out with him. He was not in a gang."
Part of what pulled Heather to action is Riggs' record. He was on probation at the time of the crash. Part of his probation conditions were no alcohol, weekly alcohol or narcotics anonymous meetings, and not possessing a firearm.
But he also had an extensive record for driving violations - including driving under the influence and driving on a revoked license, according to court documents.
So, red flowers and red ribbons - in support of Students Against Drunk Driving and Mothers Against Drunk Driving - will be a part of the funeral.
Heather says her brother was a "straight-edge dresser" who loved to snowboard, sketch and be out-doors.
He and James were good friends who wanted to open their own snow-board business.
At Michael Lambrou's funeral will be his bedroom door that he and James made into a canvas of friendship.
"Lonnie drew Mike's face and Mike drew Lonnie's," Heather said.
Heather says she will come to the corner for a few more nights to pay tribute to her brother - even though it hurts.
"I always pictured his kids and my kids playing together. I always pictured who he would marry," she said with a shrug. "You never expect your little brother to die, especially at 18."