Family Killed In Fiery Bay Area Crash ID'd

PLEASANTON, CA — About 200 people gathered at Val Vista Park in Pleasanton Sunday to mourn the deaths of a local family of four who died last week after their car hit an oak tree on Foothill Road. At the vigil, the victims were identified as Tarun and Rincy George, and their children Rowan George, an eighth grader at Hart Middle School, and Aaron George, a second grader at Donlon Elementary School, according to NBC Bay Area.

The Alameda County Coroner’s Bureau confirmed the names of Tarun, Rowan, and Aaron on Sunday, according to Pleasanton Weekly and KRON4. Patch is awaiting further confirmation and information from the coroner.

Crowds of friends, neighbors, teachers, and classmates gathered at the park to express their shock and grief. The site of the accident - an oak tree that is still charred from the fire that erupted after George family’s car struck it - is now home to a growing memorial full of flowers and cards, including a huge poster with notes from the Rowan's classmates.

"You were an amazing person and you were really kind," one classmate wrote. "R.I.P. Rowan - you were one of the most kind friends I ever had. You never really got mad. I will miss biking home with you every day," wrote another.

“I still can’t believe — nobody can believe that they’re gone,” Pleasanton resident Dipti Rawat told NBC, noting that Aaron was her son’s best friend, and called him two hours before the accident. Rawat described Aaron as a “sweet” and “daring” kid who liked skiing, dirt biking, and playing Fortnite.

"It’s very difficult to digest the news…The last three or four days we couldn’t sleep well,” a neighbor named Srini, whose sons were also friends with the boys, told KTVU. “They are very sad — they really miss their friend."

Shravan, a close friend of Rowan, told KTVU he was “really energetic, and really nice…he was just always super supportive and happy all the time, and so was his family.”

One man who worked with Tarun told KPIX that he was a “very nice person” who was “always energetic and a pleasure to work with.”

Even Rep. Eric Swalwell weighed in, writing on Twitter Monday morning that, "I send my deepest condolences to the Pleasanton community as they grieve the loss of Tarun and Rincy George, and their two children, Rowan and Aaron. This tragic accident will surely leave a void in our community but the memory of the George family will always be cherished."

The family was returning home from a birthday party at the time of the accident at around 9 p.m. Wednesday, family friends told KTVU. Pleasanton police confirmed Friday that their VinFast electric car was likely speeding down a dangerous spot of Foothill Road, where two lanes merge into one, followed by a sharp curve.

Pleasanton police have not released any new information since Friday morning, when they confirmed in a statement that the victims were a family of four with two children under the age of 15, who collided with a large oak tree. Police said emergency responders tried to render aid, but at least three victims died on the scene.

Hart Middle School Principal Caroline Fields sent an email confirming that one of the victims attended Hart, while another attended Donlon Elementary School, according to a report in Pleasanton Weekly. The Pleasanton Unified School District sent an email Thursday stating that it has secured additional resources for students and staff in need.

The district also sent a list of local grief resources, and a document called “How to Support Your Grieving Student” available in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Punjabi, and Hindi. The district also contracts with Care Solace, a 24/7 online concierge service that connects students, families, and staff with local mental health resources.

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