Last week, a devastating tragedy struck the heart of Marin County when a car crash claimed the lives of four teenage girls and seriously injured two others.
In a hopeful development amid this heartbreaking situation, one of the survivors, 14-year-old Marley Barclay, has been released from Children’s Hospital in Oakland, though she faces significant challenges ahead.
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Meanwhile, the tight-knit communities across Marin—from Mill Valley to San Rafael, Fairfax to Novato—continue to mourn the loss of four bright young lives while supporting the survivors and their families through an unimaginably difficult time.
The Crash That Shook Marin County
The fatal accident occurred last Friday evening around 7:30 p.m. on San Geronimo Valley Road, a scenic route that winds through the western part of Marin County.
According to reports, a Volkswagen SUV driven by one of the teenagers veered off the road, struck a tree, and subsequently caught fire.
The peaceful evening in the rural San Geronimo Valley was shattered by the tragedy that would soon ripple through communities from Woodacre to Lagunitas, and beyond to the broader Marin community.
The Victims and Survivors
The crash claimed the lives of four Archie Williams High School students from the San Anselmo area: Olive Koren, Josalynn Osborn, Sienna Katz, and Ada Kepley.
These young women, along with the two survivors, had been friends since their kindergarten days in Marin County.
At the time of the accident, the six girls—aged 14 to 16—were reportedly on their way to a friend’s house in the Forest Knolls area.
While Marley Barclay has been released from the hospital, family spokesperson Maxwell Szabo noted she faces “a long road to recovery ahead of her, both mentally and physically.”
The second survivor, Elsa Laremont Stranczek, remains in serious condition at the hospital, with the Fairfax community especially rallying around her family.
Community Response Across Marin
From Stinson Beach to Tiburon, from Corte Madera to Bolinas, the response from Marin County residents has been overwhelming.
Makeshift memorials have appeared near the crash site in San Geronimo and at Archie Williams High School in San Anselmo, where students, teachers, and parents have left flowers, notes, and mementos to honor the four lives lost.
Words from Those Close to the Victims
Loren St. Andre, a friend of Olive Koren’s mother and resident of Ross, shared a poignant observation with local media: witnesses had reported seeing the girls singing and enjoying each other’s company just before the tragedy occurred.
St. Andre emphasized to the community gathered at a Kentfield vigil: “This was a tragedy. This was an accident, and we’re not holding anybody responsible.”
This sentiment has been echoed throughout the Larkspur-Corte Madera area, where several of the families reside, as community members focus on supporting one another rather than assigning blame.
Investigation Continues
The California Highway Patrol is continuing its investigation into what caused the crash on the winding road that connects the West Marin communities of San Geronimo, Woodacre, and Forest Knolls.
Officials from Point Reyes Station CHP office have not yet released details about potential factors contributing to the accident.
As Marley returns home to begin her recovery journey in Marin County, communities from Sausalito to Inverness continue to hold fundraisers, vigils, and support events.
Local schools in Tamalpais Union High School District have provided counseling services for students affected by this tragic loss.
Here is the source article for this story: Survivor of deadly Marin County crash released from hospital
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