Tragedy in Marin County: Four Archie Williams High School Girls Killed, Two Others Critically Injured in Devastating Crash
SAN ANSELMO, CA – April 22, 2025 — A devastating car crash late Friday evening has left the Marin County community in mourning, as authorities confirm the deaths of four teenage girls and critical injuries to two others, all students at Archie Williams High School in San Anselmo.
The heartbreaking incident occurred shortly after 7:30 p.m. on San Geronimo Valley Road near Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, when a Volkswagen SUV carrying six teen girls veered off the road and struck a tree. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the vehicle left the roadway and collided with a tree along the shoulder under still-unclear circumstances.
Identities of the Victims
On Sunday, Tamalpais Union High School District Superintendent Tara Taupier confirmed the names of the victims, all of whom were students at Archie Williams High:
- Josalynn Osborn (10th grade)
- Sienna Katz (10th grade)
- Ada Kapley (10th grade)
- Olive Koren (9th grade)
The community is also rallying around the families of the two survivors, Elsa Laremont Stranczek and Marley Barclay, both of whom remain hospitalized in critical condition.
“Words cannot fully express the sorrow we feel,” Superintendent Taupier said in a statement. “Our hearts are with their families, friends, classmates, and the entire Archie Williams community as we grieve together. This is a time of immense pain for our school and district family.”
Close Friendships Shattered
According to Jessica Glantz, mother of survivor Marley Barclay, the group of girls were close friends, forming a tight-knit circle. “Some had been friends since first grade, others they met in high school, but they were inseparable,” Glantz said.
Glantz recounted that Marley had left their home at 6:50 p.m. Friday to walk into downtown Fairfax to meet up with the others. They were reportedly heading to Woodacre when the accident happened. “She shared that they were all wearing seatbelts, and it was a routine evening with friends,” Glantz said.
According to Glantz, Marley described the moments before the crash: “They were going around a blind turn when another car veered into their lane. Their driver swerved to avoid it — she remembers hearing screaming, then the crash.”
The CHP has not yet confirmed if another vehicle was involved in the crash, stating that the cause remains under investigation. No arrests or citations have been issued.
A Community in Mourning
In addition to grief counseling being offered throughout the school district, the broader community has mobilized in support. Vigils are being organized, flowers and notes have been left at the high school, and social media has been flooded with messages of sympathy and love.
One of the most emotionally powerful accounts came from Aubriana Koren, older sister of 9th grader Olive Koren. She told CBS News Bay Area how she learned of her sister’s death through a terrifying SOS alert on her phone.
“I called and called — it just stopped ringing,” she said tearfully. “I rushed to Marin General, but they wouldn’t tell me anything. Eventually, they said Olive didn’t even make it to the hospital.”
Ongoing Investigation
CHP officials confirmed that all six occupants of the SUV were wearing seatbelts. Toxicology reports are pending, but there is no immediate indication that alcohol or drugs were involved.
Captain Amy Newton, commander of CHP’s Marin Area, issued a statement of solidarity: “No words can ease the pain of such a devastating loss. The CHP stands with our community during this time of sorrow and remains committed to a full and thorough investigation.”
Authorities are asking any potential witnesses to come forward. Those with information can contact the CHP Marin Area Office at 415-407-3924.
Grief and Support
Superintendent Taupier emphasized the importance of seeking support in the wake of this tragedy. “We strongly encourage anyone who is struggling to reach out. No one should navigate this alone,” she said. “In moments like these, the strength of our community is found in how we care for one another.”
Counseling and grief services have been made available not only to Archie Williams students and staff, but also to the broader school district community, including parents and nearby schools affected by the news.
Final Thoughts
This accident is one of the most heartbreaking events to strike the Marin County community in recent memory. Four young lives full of promise and potential have been lost. Two more remain in a fight for recovery. As families grieve and a school mourns, the call for road safety, youth support, and collective healing has never been louder.
In the words of one community member: “We will never forget these girls — their laughter, their friendships, their futures. We will hold their memories in our hearts forever.”