Third-year student killed in collision
By Christina Jenkins
April 26, 2004 9:00 p.m.
Alexandra Silina, a third-year economics student, died Friday
morning in Studio City when the car she was riding in was struck by
another vehicle.
Silina, 20, was a transfer student from Glendale Community
College. A friend from high school described her as
“powerful” and “the funniest person in the
world.”
“Everybody who knew her was her friend,” said Rachel
Ruttenberg, a third-year political science and history student.
“If she walked into a dead silent room, she’d have to
crack a joke.”
Ruttenberg and Silina bonded when the two shared nearby lockers.
Both went to community colleges after graduation and promised each
other they would attend UCLA. Ruttenberg said she and Silina were
planning to go to law school together.
Silina was a passenger in a 2003 Nissan 350Z traveling westbound
on Riverside Drive when, according to witnesses, an SUV driving
southbound on Whitsett Avenue ran a red light and collided with the
vehicle. Silina, who was wearing a seat belt, suffered fatal head
and neck injuries and died at the scene.
The Los Angeles Police Department is considering filing charges
for manslaughter against the other driver, who sustained a broken
arm.
Silina, who was also known as Alex, died exactly eight months
before her 21st birthday.
She was an only child and lived at home in Van Nuys, according
to Ruttenberg. Silina’s family could not be reached on
Monday.
The funeral service will be held today at Forest Lawn
““ Hollywood Hills at 2:30 p.m. For information about making a
donation, contact Rachel Ruttenberg at [email protected].
