The Channels

Issue date: 3/14/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Bryan Walton City College student Malia Schnackenberg died in a car accident Monday, March 5 in La Conchita.

What started as a plain wooden cross, has grown into a garden of orchids, roses and daisies in memory of City College student and Hawaii native, Malia Schnackenberg.

Schnackenberg was killed in a car crash at approximately 6 p.m. on Mon., March 5 on Highway 101 near La Conchita.

The 18-year-old died while attempting to turn to left off of Santa Barbara Avenue to head south on the 101 Highway near La Conchita, where Schnackenberg lived.

Schnackenberg was born on the small Hawaiian island of Molokai on Aug. 8, 1988, making her the third of five siblings.

Prior to attending City College, Schnackenberg was an athlete at Carpinteria High School and moved after her junior year back to Hawaii, where she graduated. She was very proud of her Hawaiian lineage stemming from her mother's side of the family. She played volleyball, basketball, ran track and field and was considering playing basketball for City College next year.

"She was a gem, just a delight," said her uncle John Schnackenberg. "She was beautiful, popular and a lot of fun."

Her uncle described her as a thoughtful girl with leadership qualities. "She was feminine but also kind of a tomboy," he said.

John Schnackenberg said his niece had expressed an interest in taking over her family's business, Agri-turf Supplies, where she had been currently working. "Every day she would make a point to seek me out and give me a hug at work," he remembered.

Julia Mull, who attended high school with Schnackenberg, remembered her for her athleticism and described her as a bubbly outgoing person.

"She was such a joy to talk to­, always laughing and smiling," Mull said. "I just remember her being so friendly to everyone. There wasn't a bad bone in her body."

The La Conchita intersection where the collision took place is notoriously dangerous and has been the scene of several accidents. Drivers leaving or entering the community have to cross over two freeway traffic lanes.

Schnackenberg's Honda Civic was struck on the driver's side door, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

"It is always a tragedy when someone young dies in traffic collision," said California Highway Patrol Officer Steve Reid. "She was just getting started in life."

"Everything that was good in the world you could see reflected in her," John Schnackenberg said.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools