The families of four teenage girls killed in a devastating car crash in California have made an emotional plea for prosecutors to drop the case against the 17-year-old friend who was driving the vehicle.
Details of the Fatal Collision
Elsa Laremont Stranczek, then aged 17, was behind the wheel of a Volkswagen Tiguan on April 18. She was driving with five friends to a sleepover outside San Francisco when the fatal collision occurred. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Stranczek was travelling at approximately 60mph in a 35mph zone.
Investigators concluded that the novice driver likely lacked the experience to handle the road conditions at such a high speed. The vehicle crashed into a tree and caught fire. Stranczek and one passenger, 14-year-old Marley Barclay, survived but sustained critical injuries and severe burns.
Tragically, the four other passengers did not survive. They were identified as Olive Koren, 14, Sienna Katz, 15, Josalynn Osborn, 15, and Ada Kepley, 15.
Families Call for Compassion, Not Prosecution
In a remarkable display of forgiveness, the families of Olive Koren and Ada Kepley have publicly asked the prosecution not to pursue the case. They believe the teen driver has suffered enough.
Linda Kepley, Ada's mother, told local media, "We do not want her to be prosecuted. We think she's going to suffer for the rest of her life. It could have been any one of our kids driving. It just is a horrible accident."
Gail Koren, Olive's grandmother, added, "We have to do what Olive would have wanted, and that is to support her friend. We think that there have been some mistakes that haven't come out yet, and they will come out."
Questions Over Investigation and Legal Proceedings
The families have raised questions about the CHP's investigation, suggesting it was overly focused on speeding. They point to an alternative narrative provided by survivor Marley Barclay, who told her parents she saw headlights from a second vehicle veering into their lane before the crash.
However, the CHP stated it found no evidence of a second vehicle causing the collision. The investigation determined the primary cause was speeding, noting the SUV's speedometer was frozen at 60mph after the impact.
Stranczek, who had received her provisional driver's licence just five months prior, has been charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. She also faces infractions for driving on a provisional licence and speeding. Under California's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) rules, she was not permitted to transport passengers under 20 without an adult present.
While several families support the driver, the family of Josalynn Osborn has expressed a desire for accountability. Her mother, Christie Batanides, said, "Four human lives were taken. And if there's no accountability, it sends a really wrong message."
A court hearing where Stranczek was due to enter a plea was recently rescheduled for January 14.
