A 20-year-old sophomore attending the Colorado School of Mines in Golden was killed in a two-car accident on campus Wednesday, authorities say.
The victim was taken to a hospital after the 10:50 a.m. accident at the intersection of 18th and Illinois streets and was pronounced dead, said Golden police officer Drew Williams.
The accident happened at a busy intersection on the Mines campus, Williams said.
Mustafa Alawami of Saudi Arabia identified the victim as his sister, Ruquia Alawami, 20, who was engaged to be married next month in their home country.
According to Williams, Ruquia Alawami was at a stop sign at 18th Street and pulled out onto Illinois Street going east on 18th when a car headed south on Illinois hit her vehicle on the driver’s side.
The woman in the other car was on a “through” street and had the right of way, Williams said. She was not injured in the crash. Her name has not been released.
Detectives are investigating whether speed was a factor in the accident.
Mustafa Alawami said his sister was on scholarship paid for by a petroleum company.
“She was brilliant,” he said. “She was quiet. She was nice. We are very sad about our girl.”
Her father is a college professor in Saudi Arabia who teaches physics. Her mother teaches Arabic. She had three brothers and a sister.
Ruquia Alawami’s body will be returned to Saudi Arabia on Friday, her brother said.
Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com
