That was the '87 Whittier Narrows quake, and it was Cal State L.A. I lived in Whittier and was on my way to the same school for a morning class, and always parked in that same lot, which was in the back of the school. It gave me a really creepy feeling, death hitting so close to home.
Very tragic. I remember seeing her photo on the news, very sad. It sounds as if it was a close call for you.