Four teenage students from Archie Williams High School were killed and two more critically injured when the SUV they were riding in veered off San Geronimo Valley Road and struck a tree on the evening of Friday, April 18, 2025. The girls—aged 14 to 16—were classmates and friends, making this a profound loss for a single tight‑knit peer group. Three of the students died at the scene, and a fourth succumbed to her injuries after being transported to a hospital, while the remaining two occupants remain in critical condition. This tragedy has left every home and hallway at Archie Williams High echoing with grief, as students and staff struggle to process the sudden loss of four classmates.
Incident Overview
Shortly before 7:30 p.m., a westbound Volkswagen SUV carrying six teenage girls left the roadway on a dark stretch of San Geronimo Valley Road, about five miles northwest of Fairfax, and collided forcefully with a tree. First responders from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and Marin County Sheriff’s Office arrived within minutes to find three of the occupants already deceased at the scene. The vehicle caught fire following the impact, compounding the danger and chaos at the crash site. Paramedics rushed the fourth victim to a local hospital, where she later died, and the two surviving teens—a 15‑year‑old and the driver—were transported in critical condition to regional trauma centers.
Victims Identified
Archie Williams High School Principal Jacob Gran confirmed the identities of the four students who lost their lives: ninth grader Olive Koren, and 10th graders Josalynn Osborn, Sienna Katz, and Ada Kepley. The two survivors have been named as Elsa Laremont Stranczek and Marley Barclay, both of whom remain hospitalized in critical condition. The victims ranged in age from 14 to 16. Their families have described them as bright, kind, and full of promise—qualities that make this loss all the more devastating.
Community Response and Support
In the wake of the crash, a candlelight vigil drew hundreds of students, parents, teachers, and community members to Fairfax to mourn and offer solidarity. Tamalpais Union High School District Superintendent Tara Taupier announced grief counseling services for students and staff, recognizing the deep trauma experienced community‑wide. Local faith groups incorporated prayers into Easter services, placing flowers and lilies at the altars in memory of the victims.
Investigation Underway
The California Highway Patrol continues to investigate the cause of the crash, examining skid marks, vehicle data, and roadway conditions to determine whether speed, mechanical failure, or other factors contributed to the SUV’s departure from the road. Authorities have appealed to anyone with dashcam footage or eyewitness accounts to come forward to aid in understanding what happened. No conclusions have been reached, and the investigation remains open.
Honoring Their Memory
To support the affected families, community members have established GoFundMe pages for each of the victims to assist with funeral expenses and related costs, and a memorial scholarship fund is being created in the names of Olive, Josalynn, Sienna, and Ada through the school district. Archie Williams High plans a Memorial Assembly where students and teachers will share stories, artwork, and music in tribute to their fallen classmates.
Our deepest sympathy goes out to the families of Olive, Josalynn, Sienna, and Ada, as well as to Elsa, Marley, and the entire Archie Williams High community. May they find strength in one another and in the enduring love and memories that will forever connect them.