Teen survivor of deadly Marin County crash says oncoming car veered into their lane
Marley Barclay, hospitalized after a Friday crash in Woodacre that killed four Archie Williams High School students, told her parents another vehicle crossed into the girls' lane before their car hit a tree.
By Mei Ling ·
A teenage survivor of a crash that killed four high school girls in Marin County has given her parents her account of what happened, saying an oncoming car crossed into her vehicle's lane moments before the collision.
Marley Barclay's mother, Jessica Glantz, shared the recollection at a Monday press conference outside UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in Oakland, where Marley is being treated. Law enforcement has not released an official account of what led up to the crash, which happened Friday in Woodacre.
According to Glantz, her daughter remembers the car approaching a blind turn when another vehicle drifted into their lane. "The driver of the vehicle that Marley was riding in swerved to miss the other," Glantz said. She added that Marley recalls hearing the driver screaming before the swerve. Glantz also said the family has seen no evidence that alcohol was involved.
The California Highway Patrol said the Volkswagen SUV was traveling westbound on St. Francis Drake Boulevard when it struck a tree on the shoulder of San Geronimo Valley Drive at about 7:30 p.m. Friday. Three of the teens were pronounced dead at the scene and a fourth died shortly afterward. Marley and another girl survived with serious injuries.
All six girls attended Archie Williams High School in San Anselmo and were between 14 and 16 years old. Principal Jacob Gran identified the dead as Olive Koren, Josalynn Osborn, Sienna Katz and Ada Kepley. In an email to students, he said Marley and Elsa Laremont Stranczek survived.
Marley's family also used the press conference to thank a stranger who helped her. Glantz said her daughter told them she was the only one conscious in the car and pounded on the window, screaming, until a woman reached her. Glantz said Marley's phone call to her right after the crash was incoherent, but the woman took the phone, explained that she had called 911 and promised to stay with Marley until help arrived. "I don't know you, and I love you. And I thank you," Glantz said, adding that she believes she has identified the woman through Facebook.
The woman was identified as Gayle Gregory, who told KTVU she came upon the wreck while returning from a hike. Several people were trying to get the teens out of the car, she said. "Very loudly, I basically just started telling everyone what to do," Gregory said, adding that she stayed until the ambulance arrived.
On Monday, a memorial of bouquets, Red Bulls, Takis, cigarettes, balloons, candles and stuffed animals had grown beside the redwood trees at the crash site. Passing cars slowed, one driver held back tears and another held their hands in prayer. Five young girls stood silently by the trees for minutes.
Online fundraisers for Olive, Josalynn, Sienna, Ada and Marley had together raised more than $300,000 as of Monday, with the pages for Marley and Josalynn each topping $100,000. The campaigns are filled with messages of shock and support from friends of the families.
Anyone with information about the crash can contact the CHP's Marin office at (415) 924-1100.
Source: The San Francisco Standard
