Third-year student killed in collision
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 rruttens@ucla.edu.
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