By Holly Wells
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Tuesday, March 9, 2004
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Stephanie Rubin, a student known for always being positive and caring toward others, died Friday on her way to visit family near Phoenix.
She was 18.
Rubin leaves behind many friends at the UA who are still coping with her surprising death.
Samantha Sistek, an accounting junior and a roommate of Rubin, described Rubin as being the happiest person on the planet.
"She was a great student and really involved. She was planning on volunteering at a hospice," Sistek said.
Rubin, a pre-physiological sciences freshman, was driving to Cave Creek Friday afternoon to visit her mother for the weekend when her car ran off the road and rolled just outside of Casa Grande.
Frank Valenzuela, the Department of Public Safety public information officer, said Rubin was driving in the high-speed lane when a semi-truck driving in the other lane attempted to change lanes.
Rubin tried to avoid the collision with the semi-truck but drove into the median and her car began to roll. Rubin was pronounced dead on the scene from massive head injuries.
Valenzuela said he is unsure whether the driver of the semi-truck, who never made contact with Rubin's vehicle, will be charged with anything.
Holly Hays, a business sophomore and Rubin's best friend, said Rubin was hilarious and had a great outlook on life.
"She never stressed out or worried about anything," said Hays. "She was never sad or upset."
Hays said Rubin was planning on becoming an emergency room surgeon.
"She wanted to help people; she could do anything under pressure," she said.
Hays said Rubin leaves behind one sister and three brothers. She said Rubin shared a special kind of relationship with her youngest brother, who is five.
"She adored him, they were great together," Hays said.
Sistek said Rubin made many friends in her classes and through activities at the UA.
"She'll be greatly missed by everyone who knew her," she said.
A memorial service for Rubin will be held today at 6:30 p.m. in Phoenix. At press time, the details of the memorial service location were yet to be determined.
