Marin Crash That Killed 4 Teens Remains Unresolved

Nearly a year after the fiery crash, the teen driver faces charges as the community grapples with the tragedy.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Nearly a year after a fiery crash in Marin County killed four teenage girls, the 17-year-old driver has appeared in court, charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence. The crash occurred on April 18, 2025, when the driver of a Volkswagen SUV hit a tree, causing the vehicle to burst into flames. Prosecutors are now seeking the personnel record of a California Highway Patrol officer involved in the investigation, raising questions about the credibility of the report that found the driver was speeding.

Why it matters

The crash has deeply impacted the local community, with the victims' families holding differing opinions on whether the young driver should be prosecuted. The case has also raised questions about the safety of the road where the incident occurred, with a lawsuit alleging that the large redwood trees and lack of guardrails and signs contributed to the tragedy.

The details

The six girls, ages 14 to 16, were students at Archie Williams High School in San Anselmo. The driver, now 17, is charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence, which she has denied. The CHP's investigation found that the driver was traveling 20 to 25 mph over the speed limit before the crash, but the sole surviving passenger claimed to have seen headlights before the collision, contradicting the CHP's findings. Prosecutors have now filed a Pitchess motion to obtain the personnel record of the CHP officer involved, which is an unusual move, as such motions are typically filed by defense attorneys.

  • The crash occurred on April 18, 2025.
  • The teen driver appeared in court on Wednesday, February 26, 2026.

The players

Olive Koren

One of the four teenage girls who died in the crash.

Sienna Katz

One of the four teenage girls who died in the crash.

Josalynn Osborn

One of the four teenage girls who died in the crash.

Ada Kepley

One of the four teenage girls who died in the crash.

Charles Dresow

The attorney representing the teen driver.

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What they’re saying

“This could have been any one of our kids driving.”

— Linda Kepley, Mother of one of the victims (San Francisco Chronicle)

“I understand that they may be taking down trees and they're changing signs. How that exactly affects the criminal case? I can't say. I think it is going to be a factor in how all of this may be handled.”

— Shannan Dugan, San Francisco criminal defense attorney and former assistant district attorney (SFGATE)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the Pitchess motion, which could provide more insight into the credibility of the CHP officer's report.

The takeaway

This tragic case has left the community deeply affected, with the victims' families divided on whether the young driver should be prosecuted. The investigation into the crash has raised questions about the safety of the road and the reliability of the CHP's findings, underscoring the complex and emotional nature of this ongoing legal battle.