Driver Charged In Crash That Killed 4 Marin County Teens: Prosecutors

MARIN COUNTY, CA — The teen driver of an April crash that killed four teen passengers is now facing charges, prosecutors said.

The Marin County District Attorney's Office is charging the SUV driver who was traveling 20 to 25 mph over the speed limit when she lost control on a curve in rural Marin County on April 18, according to the California Highway Patrol. The vehicle crashed into a redwood tree and burst into flames, resulting in the deaths of four teenage girls, a CHP report stated. The driver and one passenger survived., police said

The driver, who Patch is not identifying due to her age, was charged with vehicular manslaughter, prosecutors said. She is also facing two infractions: driving at a speed unsafe for prevailing conditions and driving with a provisional license with passengers under 20 years old, without a licensed parent or guardian, prosecutors said.

The teens killed in the crash were identified as Olive Koren, 14, Sienna Katz, 15, Josalyn Osborn, 15, and Ada Kepley, 15. All four were students at Archie Williams High School in San Anselmo.

A CHP report found no evidence the driver of the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, which was severely burned, veered off westbound San Geronimo Valley Road to avoid an oncoming vehicle, despite a survivor's claim of seeing headlights. Lead investigator Darrel Horner attributed the crash to the driver's high speed and inexperience given the road's challenging conditions.

The August report by CHP recommended that the Marin County District Attorney’s Office prosecute the driver, who was 16 at the time of the crash, for gross vehicular manslaughter. The report indicated that the driver was not intoxicated but cited several violations: speeding, making an unsafe turn, and violating provisional license restrictions by driving with passengers under the age of 20.

The fatal crash has led to ten legal claims and a demand for improved road safety. Some claims cite county negligence in road design and maintenance. Marin County is reviewing the claims and initiating roadway enhancements, officials said.