‘An Unthinkable Loss’: Marin County Crash Kills Four High School Girls, Two Others Hospitalized

A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded Friday night when a single-vehicle crash in Marin County claimed the lives of four teenage girls and left two others in critical condition. All six were students at Archie Williams High School in San Anselmo — and their deaths have left an entire community grieving.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the crash happened just before 7:30 p.m. on a rural stretch of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard near the small community of Woodacre. The group of girls, all between the ages of 14 and 16, had been riding in a Volkswagen SUV when it veered off the road, slammed into a tree, and caught fire.

Three of the girls died at the scene. A fourth was rushed to the hospital but later passed away from her injuries. The two survivors, including the driver, remain in critical condition as of Sunday afternoon.

A Devastating Night

First responders arrived within minutes, but the wreckage was already engulfed in flames. Authorities described the scene as “catastrophic,” and say it’s one of the most tragic incidents in recent Marin County history.

The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation. Police have not yet said whether speed, distraction, or any other factor played a role. The names of the victims have not been released publicly out of respect for their families.

School Community in Mourning

Archie Williams High School, where all six girls were students, canceled classes on Monday and offered grief counseling for students, teachers, and staff.

Superintendent Tara Taupier shared a statement expressing the school district’s deep sorrow. “We are heartbroken,” she said. “This is an incredibly painful time for our entire school and community. As we search for answers, we will support one another in every way we can.”

Friends and classmates remember the girls as vibrant, kind, and full of promise. Several students gathered at the school on Saturday morning, placing flowers and handwritten notes near the entrance. “They were the sweetest girls,” one classmate said. “It just doesn’t seem real.”

A Silent Vigil, and a Community in Grief

By Saturday evening, the community had come together for an emotional candlelight vigil at a baseball field near downtown Fairfax. Hundreds attended, holding candles and standing together in silence — six minutes, one for each girl.

Tears fell freely as parents embraced their children and classmates leaned on one another. Some shared stories and memories. Others simply stood quietly, overwhelmed by the weight of it all.

“We don’t have the words,” said one parent at the vigil. “But we have each other.”

Officials Offer Condolences, Support

California Highway Patrol Capt. Amy Newton extended her department’s sympathy, saying, “There are no words that can ease the pain of this loss. Our hearts go out to the families, the students, the teachers — the entire Marin community.”

Local leaders and first responders have been visibly shaken by the accident. The fire department, CHP, and local officials are working closely with the school district and families to provide support and gather more information.

Authorities are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has information to contact the CHP’s Marin office at (415) 924-1100.

Looking Ahead, Together

As the investigation continues, one thing is certain: the road to healing will be long. But Marin County has already begun to show that no one is grieving alone.

There have been GoFundMe campaigns launched to support the victims’ families, as well as a growing effort to address teen driver safety in the region.

In the words of one teacher at Archie Williams High, “This is the kind of loss that cuts deep — but we’re a close community. We’ll lean on each other, and we’ll remember these girls not for how they died, but for how they lived.”