In Memory
Amanda J. Ciskowski
Art club-Girls Service Club-Freshman cross country
September 10, 1990
An overnight camping trip ended tragically yesterday when a young
couple sleeping in a tent in a parking lot at San Onofre State
Beach were run over and killed by a speeding car, authorities
said. 19 year old Amanda J. Ciskowski of San Diego and her 18
year old friend, Graham Jacob Grubb, a resident of Imperial Beach
and Laguna Niguel in Orange County, both died of massive head
injuries early yesterday, coroners officials say.
A 1967 Mustang traveling at more than 80 mph plowed in to Grubb's 1970 Toyota Landcruiser, knocked it about 180 feet, and came to rest on top of the teen-agers, said CHP officers. The driver of the mustang abandoned his car after the incident that occurred yesterday between 12:30am and 3am, when the bodies were found, authorities said.
Yesterday afternoon CHP officers arrested a Santa Fe Springs man at his home near Los Angeles in connection with the incident. The suspect was booked on suspicion of two counts of felony vehicular manslaughter and a felony charge of hit-and-run and drunken driving. Deputy District Attorney Michael Kirkman stated the suspects blood alcohol level was measured at .09 when tested a full seven hours after the incident occurred.
"These two young people were at the high point of their lives," said Jake Grubb, a 41 year old designer and father of the dead boy. "This is a definition of the worst kind of tragedy. They were run down wantonly."
Ciskowski lived in North Park with her sister, Cynthia Ciskowski, who operates a small customer jewelry manufacturing firm and employed Amanda, family members say.
Grubb, who graduated from Dana Hills HS in Dana Point was a student at Saddleback Community College in Mission Viejo. A skilled carpenter, he worked for a construction company doing home remodeling.
Grubb and Ciskowski had know each other about four months, the family said. "he was very much in love with Amanda," said Grubb's mother. "they were made for each other," said Jake Grub. "These were two highly responsible people. A joint burial is planned."