FAU dance team honors former senior captain who died in toll booth accident

By Brooke Baitinger and Wayne K. Roustan

BOCA RATON — She was energetic, vibrant, and talented — with a fierce love of dancing almost as soon as she could walk, according to her teammates.

Victoria Strauss’ young life was cut short Monday in a freak accident. She was 23.

Her teammates on Florida Atlantic University’s Fly Girls dance team are honoring the memory of their talented friend, who they elected as captain during her senior year.

“We are absolutely heartbroken to know that you are no longer here with us,” the team wrote on Facebook about Strauss. “We find solace in knowing that you are now with your Dad. You helped to build a legacy & for that we are forever grateful.”

Strauss studied psychology at Florida Atlantic University and was on track to earn her master’s degree in social work from Ohio State University this spring, according to her obituary.

She died Monday night in Columbus, Ohio, after her head got pinned between her car door and the door frame at the toll booth in a parking garage, according to Columbus Police.

Strauss was leaving the parking garage around 11:37 p.m. When she went to pay for parking, she dropped her credit card, so she opened her car door and leaned out of it to pick it up. As she did so, her foot hit the gas and the car accelerated into the kiosk, pinning her head between the open door and the frame, police said.

Strauss had written on Facebook that she was “heading into 2021 feeling pure happiness,” which she wrote she had struggled to feel since her dad died in 2017. She said she struggled because she didn’t know if his spirit was OK but said she had grown stronger in her faith and had been receiving signs that made her believe her father was in heaven.

It brought her peace, she wrote.

A memorial service was held for Strauss at Powell United Methodist Church Saturday morning and it was live streamed.

Family, friends, and FAU dance team members spoke at the service, including cousin Jenna.

“2021 was supposed to be her year. [Victoria] outwardly claimed it and she was prepared to own it,” she said. “But, I still believe this is Victoria’s year. The impact she’s had on so many lives is incredible.”

In lieu of flowers, Strauss’ family is asking those who want to honor her memory to consider making a donation towards an endowment fund in honor of Victoria’s love and passion for dance. Memorials may be made to Florida Atlantic University’s Dance Program: https:// fauf.fau.edu/paradise-club as a tribute gift in honor of Victoria Strauss.

Brooke Baitinger can be reached at: bbaitinger@ sunsentinel.com, 954422-0857 or Twitter: @ bybbaitinger