Community Devastated After Fatal Marin County Crash Claims Lives of Four High School Girls, Leaves Two Others Hospitalized; Investigation Ongoing as Families, Friends Mourn Unimaginable Loss
Marin County, CA – April 19, 2025 — A peaceful Northern California town is now cloaked in grief following a heartbreaking tragedy that claimed the lives of four teenage girls and critically injured two others in a single-vehicle crash late Friday evening in Marin County.
The victims — all students at Archie Williams High School in San Anselmo — were identified Saturday as:
- Olive Koren, 14
- Ada Kepley, 15
- Sienna Katz, 16
- Josalynn “Josy” Osborn, 16
According to the California Highway Patrol, the crash occurred around 7:30 p.m. on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard near San Geronimo Valley, a notoriously winding road. Authorities say the teens were traveling in a Volkswagen SUV when, for reasons still under investigation, the vehicle left the road and slammed into a tree with devastating force.
Three of the girls died at the scene. The fourth passed away at a hospital shortly after first responders arrived. Two other students — Elsa Laremont Stranczek and Marley Barclay — were also in the vehicle and remain hospitalized in critical condition.
A Town Shattered
By Saturday morning, the once-quiet community of San Anselmo was in mourning. At Archie Williams High School, grief counselors were made available, and a growing memorial of flowers, photos, and handwritten notes formed outside the main entrance.
“This is a tragedy beyond words,” said Tamalpais Union High School District Superintendent Tara Taupier. “We are absolutely heartbroken. These were vibrant, beautiful young women with their entire lives ahead of them.”
At an emotional vigil held Saturday evening, classmates, teachers, and parents gathered on the school’s football field, lighting candles and sharing stories of the girls — their creativity, their laughter, their kindness, and their unbreakable friendship.
“They were inseparable,” said a classmate through tears. “They were all so full of life. Now, it feels like the light in our school has gone dim.”
Parents described the girls as hardworking, compassionate, and beloved by many. Josy Osborn was an avid musician and a member of the school’s jazz band. Sienna Katz had just been selected to lead her school’s environmental club. Olive and Ada, though younger, were known for their maturity and kindness.
“These girls were a force,” said Sarah Bristow, a neighbor and mother of two students at the school. “They radiated warmth and lifted everyone around them. This is a loss that touches every single person in this town.”
Investigation Underway
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. Officials said that while speed may have been a factor, no immediate signs of drug or alcohol use were found at the scene. Investigators are working to determine if distraction, mechanical failure, or hazardous road conditions may have played a role.
The stretch of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard where the crash occurred has long been considered dangerous. Local officials acknowledged that there have been multiple accidents in the area over the past decade, prompting calls for improved signage and lighting.
“This tragedy underscores the urgent need to reevaluate road safety in this corridor,” said Marin County Supervisor Katie Rice. “We must do everything we can to ensure this never happens again.”
A Wave of Support
In the wake of the crash, the community has rallied in solidarity. Several local businesses have launched fundraisers, and multiple GoFundMe pages set up to assist the families have collectively raised over $150,000 in less than 24 hours.
Religious and civic leaders have organized ongoing vigils and support groups for students and families, with many offering their homes as safe spaces for young people to grieve and process the tragedy together.
“It’s a reminder of how fragile life is,” said Pastor Liam McGovern of St. John’s Church, who hosted a candlelight prayer service. “And it’s also a reminder of how strong this community is when we stand together.”
Honoring Their Memory
Plans are now underway for a public memorial service to honor the lives of the four girls. Archie Williams High School is working with the families to create a tribute that reflects their daughters’ passions, personalities, and the indelible mark they left on those who knew them.
“This is going to take time — a lot of time,” said Principal Liz Seabury. “But we will walk through this together. We will honor them not just with our words, but by the way we carry their love forward.”
As the sun set over San Anselmo Saturday night, dozens of paper lanterns were released into the sky — each one a quiet prayer, a flicker of hope, and a promise to never forget.