Overview
- Prosecutors confirmed a misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charge without gross negligence plus two infractions for unsafe speed and violating a provisional license, and the teen driver remains out of custody.
- CHP investigators concluded the SUV was traveling about 60–65 mph in a 40 mph zone and made an unsafe turn before striking a redwood tree and catching fire.
- With the vehicle’s data recorder destroyed, investigators estimated speed from a melted speedometer and reported no evidence of intoxication or involvement of a second vehicle.
- The driver had held a provisional license for roughly five months that barred transporting passengers under 20, according to the CHP report.
- A judge allowed public access to the juvenile proceedings; four Archie Williams High School students were killed — Olive Koren, Sienna Katz, Josalyn Osborn and Ada Kepley — and the county faces at least 10 road-safety claims after adding curve advisory signs.