A tragic accident has left a deep scar on the community of San Anselmo, California, as four students from Archie Williams High School lost their lives in a devastating car crash on Friday, April 18, 2025.
The incident occurred on San Geronimo Valley Road in West Marin when a Volkswagen SUV, carrying six teenagers between the ages of 14 and 16, veered off the road and collided with a tree.
The heartbreak is palpable as families, friends, classmates, and an entire community come together to mourn the loss of four vibrant young lives and pray for the recovery of the two survivors who remain in critical condition.
A Devastating Crash Shatters a Community
It was early evening when the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Marin Office received a report of a solo-vehicle accident along the quiet San Geronimo Valley Road. Responding officers arrived to find a haunting scene: a Volkswagen SUV mangled against a tree on the shoulder of the road, its frame crushed from the impact. Inside the vehicle were six students from Archie Williams High School, all of whom had sustained major injuries.
According to CHP officials, three of the teens were pronounced dead at the scene. A fourth, who had initially survived the impact, succumbed to injuries after being transported to a nearby hospital.
The remaining two passengers, identified as Elsa Laremont Stranczek and Marley Barclay, were rushed to intensive care units in critical condition. Both are currently under constant medical supervision, and while the road to recovery is uncertain, their families remain hopeful, bolstered by the outpouring of community support.
CHP Marin Area Commander Captain Amy Newton released a heartfelt statement expressing the agency’s condolences: “No words can ease the pain of such a devastating loss, and our hearts are with the entire community as they grieve. The CHP stands with our community during this time of sorrow and remains dedicated to thoroughly investigating the circumstances that led to this tragedy.”
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As investigations into the cause of the crash continue, questions remain about how the SUV came to veer off the road. Authorities have not yet determined whether speed, distraction, mechanical failure, or any other factor played a role in the incident.
Remembering the Victims: Four Lives Cut Tragically Short
The victims of the crash were identified as 9th grader Olive Koren and 10th graders Josalynn Osborn, Sienna Katz, and Ada Kepley. Each of them is remembered by their families and peers not just for their youth, but for the light, creativity, and spirit they brought into the lives of those around them.
Superintendent Tara Taupier of the Tamalpais Union High School District released a letter confirming the deaths of the four students. “Words cannot fully express the sorrow we feel,” she wrote. “Our hearts are with their families, friends, classmates, and the entire Archie Williams community as we grieve together.”
Ada Kepley, described by her family as a gifted artist with a quick wit, left behind a legacy of laughter and warmth. “Ada was a kind soul with an irreverent sense of humor that made people feel joyful and included,” said her aunt Janet Upton in a family statement. “She adored her big brother, Dylan, and had a deep connection with her close friends and loving family. Ada’s absence leaves an unfathomable hole in our lives.”
A GoFundMe set up on behalf of Kepley’s family quickly gathered messages of love and support from people near and far. The community’s overwhelming response served as a testament to how many lives Ada had touched, even in her short time.
Another GoFundMe for Olive Koren highlighted her zest for life and infectious energy. Described as “a bright light,” Olive was remembered for her cheerful demeanor, love for family and pets, and an insatiable appetite for both food and adventure. “She had a wonderful appetite for life,” read the description. “She was kind, beautiful, smart, sassy, and a faithful friend.”
Josalynn Osborn was remembered in similar tones of admiration and heartbreak. A fundraiser organized in her name referred to her as “so full of light,” capturing the essence of a young girl whose joy radiated to everyone she encountered. Her absence now leaves an indescribable emptiness in the hearts of those who loved her.
Community members gathered on Saturday, April 19, for a vigil at Fairfax Central Field. The candlelit ceremony served as a collective moment of remembrance and reflection.
Mourners held candles, laid flowers, and offered silent prayers under the night sky. Many shared stories of their memories with the victims, reinforcing the bond of a community brought together by grief but also by love.
Support for the Survivors and the Road Ahead
While the grief over those lost weighs heavily, the community is also rallying around the two survivors — Elsa Laremont Stranczek and Marley Barclay — who continue to fight for their lives.
According to Superintendent Taupier, both girls are surrounded by the care and support of their families, who are drawing strength from the solidarity and encouragement pouring in from the Archie Williams High School, neighbors, and even strangers.
The school district has mobilized counseling resources, offering emotional support to students and staff affected by the tragedy. Temporary grief centers have been set up in collaboration with local mental health services, and therapists have been made available on Archie Williams High School campuses.
“We are not alone in our grief,” said one teacher at Archie Williams High School. “This loss affects us all, but we are stronger when we face it together.” As news of the crash spread, community members took to social media to express condolences and share personal tributes to the victims.
Many wrote heartfelt messages, remembering the laughter they shared with the students and the impact they had made. Friends organized memory boards and photo displays in classrooms and school halls, while others wore ribbons and school colors in silent tribute.
GoFundMe campaigns created for the families of the victims have helped not only with funeral expenses but also served as emotional anchors. The donations reflect not just financial help but a wider desire from people across the nation to be a part of the healing process.
While the exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, the tragedy has already sparked conversations about teen driving safety, supervision, and emotional well-being. Some in the community are advocating for stricter enforcement of driving regulations for minors, while others are urging for broader education on risk awareness and safe driving habits.
In moments like these, the fragility of life becomes all too clear. The Archie Williams High School community, though devastated, remains resilient. Teachers, counselors, and administrators have pledged to honor the memory of the lost students by supporting their classmates and encouraging open conversations about grief, healing, and hope.
The coming weeks will be difficult for the families and friends of the victims, as well as for the students who now return to classrooms with empty chairs and broken hearts.
Yet in their sorrow, they will also find unity. Together, they will remember Olive, Josalynn, Sienna, and Ada — not just for how they died, but for how they lived. Through art, music, laughter, and love, their spirits will remain a part of the community forever.
And for Elsa and Marley, the prayers and hopes of many continue — that their strength holds, that they recover, and that they find peace and comfort in the arms of their loved ones.
As the community of San Anselmo faces this profound loss, their resilience and compassion will be the cornerstone of their journey toward healing. They have lost much — but they have also found a deeper connection with one another through shared grief and a collective promise to never forget the bright young souls taken too soon.