Vigil held for 4 teenage girls killed in Marin Co. SUV crash; 2 remain in critical condition

Marin County, Calif. (KGO) -- Throughout Saturday afternoon, friends and local residents came to place flowers and photos at a Marin County crash site, still covered with car parts.

"It couldn't be more tragic than six young women in car. Couldn't be more tragic, whole life ahead of you, no matter what happened or what the reasons are. It's so sad," said Leslie Jackson, who lives in Woodacre.

According to the CHP, around 7:30 p.m. on Friday, an SUV crashed into a tree and burst into flames on a rural San Geronimo Valley Drive near Woodacre, which runs along a big hill lined with very tall trees.

Six teenage girls were in the SUV. Three were pronounced dead at the scene. One later died at the hospital. The driver and another passenger remain in critical condition.

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On Saturday evening, hundreds gathered for a vigil for the students at a baseball field near downtown Fairfax. They observed six minutes of silence for each of the young girls.

"We will live the joy and power the presence of their life," said one of the religious leaders, who spoke at the vigil.

"I mean, the sheer number of fatalities -- I don't think even think the shock has set in for our community yet. We are a tight-knit, small community," said parent Melissa Wahlstrom. She has a daughter who attends Archie Williams High School, where all six victims were students.

Wahlstrom says she is not at all surprised by the strong turnout. She says in small town like Fairfax, most of these students have known each other since kindergarten.

"Taking a stranger's hand, and hugging them, looking them in the eye and telling the how sorry they are. Knowing this community has all these families' backs, we are here for them," said Wahlstrom.

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"This is a tragedy that will scar our community. There is no really other way to put it," said Marin County Supervisor Brian Colbert, who attended the vigil. He represents District 2, which includes Fairfax.

The Tamalpais Union High School District issued a statement, which read in part: "This is an incredibly heart-wrenching time for our entire school and broader community. As we await more information we know that the Tam District community will pull together in compassion, care and support for one another."

"On behalf of the California Highway Patrol, I extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and classmates of the four young students whose lives were tragically lost in this heartbreaking crash," said CHP Marin Area Commander Capt. Amy Newton. "No words can ease the pain of such a devastating loss, and our hearts are with the entire community as they grieve. The CHP stands with our community during this time of sorrow and remains dedicated to thoroughly investigating the circumstances that led to this tragedy."

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the CHP's Marin Area office at (415) 924-1100.