'Lost far too soon': 4 teens in Marin County, CA killed in crash after striking tree
'Lost far too soon': 4 teens in Marin County, CA killed in crash after striking tree The four victims were students at Archie Williams High School. A vigil was held on Saturday.
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A California community is grieving four high school students who died in a "solo-vehicle crash" during Easter weekend, officials said.
The crash occurred on April 18 in San Geronimo Valley in Marin County. When the California Highway Patrol got to the scene around 7:30 p.m., officers found "a Volkswagen SUV that had veered off the roadway and struck a tree," according to a press release.
Authorities said six injured passengers, aged between 14 and 16, were inside the vehicle. Three of the teens were determined to be deceased at the scene, and the fourth died en route to the hospital.
According to KTVU and KGO, the Tamalpais Union High School District identified the victims as Ada Kepley, Josalynn Osborn, Sienna Katz, and Olive Karen. USA TODAY reached out to the district for more information.
The teens were a close-knit friend group that attended Archie Williams High School. District superintendent Tara Taupier said grief counselors would be available for the community during "a time of immense pain," the outlets reported.
2 others were in the vehicle; 'no alcohol involved,' family says
Two survivors, Marley Barclay and Elsa Laremont Stranczek, were taken to the hospital in critical condition, per the California Highway Patrol and reports.
Marley's mother, Jessica Glantz, told KGO that there is "no evidence that any alcohol was involved" and that her 14-year-old daughter said the group was wearing seatbelts. A woman was at the scene and pulled Marley out of the vehicle.
"Our hearts are with the families of the four beautiful young souls, lost far too soon," Glantz continued to the news station.
A vigil was held on April 19 to honor the victims of the fatal crash.
More news: 4 people killed after small plane crashes in Illinois, officials say
Fundraisers created to help families
According to a GoFundMe spokesperson, multiple fundraisers have been created to help support the families of the four victims and survivors. Collectively, they have raised more than $500,000 so far.
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.
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