MARBLEHEAD — The Marblehead community is reeling after a tragic crash early Tuesday morning claimed the life of 13-year-old Savanah Gatchell and left a 16-year-old boy facing serious criminal charges.
Authorities said the teen has been charged with motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation, receiving a stolen motor vehicle, and operating under the influence of liquor, along with two civil motor vehicle infractions.
The crash occurred just before 3 a.m. on Atlantic Avenue, where the vehicle struck a stone wall. The site has since become a growing memorial, with flowers, candles, and handwritten notes honoring Gatchell’s memory.
At a School Committee meeting during public comment, held in the wake of the tragedy, Sarah Fox delivered an impassioned statement urging the town to confront what she described as a longstanding and dangerous culture around alcohol use and risky behavior among both teens and adults.
“In May of 2024, we had a risk survey presentation during which it showed more than one in four of our high school students reported riding in a vehicle with someone under the influence,” Fox said. “At that time, I brought up several times that this needed to be addressed, given the history of our town. Clearly, those numbers are showing that they weren’t just riding with peers, but that their parents are modeling this behavior.”
Fox said, “I begged to get ahead of this before it happened again.”
She noted that the latest Youth Risk Behavior Survey revealed little improvement in those numbers. “Same data, maybe one or two percentage points different in one area or another. We have to stop sugarcoating and glamorizing what is happening to these kids and happening in our town. This is a community issue,” she said.
Fox called on School Committee members for the creation of a town-wide task force, not only within the schools but also involving the Select Board, Department of Health, and parents. She emphasized the need for collective accountability, particularly around the role of parents in normalizing or enabling underage drinking.
“Until this community starts to acknowledge that this is starting in the homes, that parents are socially hosting these parties, that parents are turning a blind eye — another kid will tragically meet the same end,” she said. “We can’t do these risky data surveys, see these outcomes, and do nothing.”
Her statement underscored that while schools play a role in education, solutions must go further. “Education can’t only happen in schools. It starts in the home. But kids also need wraparound services from the schools, the Department of Health, the Select Board, everyone, because these kids are the over one in four kids.”
Tom McMahon, a member of the Board of Health, echoed these concerns during the meeting.
“I grew up in this town. I lived it. I drank and drove in high school, so did all my friends,” he said.
McMahon said the previous surveys conducted may not be an accurate representation of how many kids are participating in drinking and driving.
“When you write a survey to say, ‘High-schoolers, have any of you ever drank and drove?’ What’s the problem? Do they all even have licenses? So how are they going to respond with an accurate number? Those things need to be reworded so you get accurate numbers,” he said.
McMahon said through his position on the Board of Health, he has been trying to work with the school on harm reduction strategies, “but there are roadblocks.
“People say the word ‘trigger.’ Trigger the hell out of them,” he said. “That’s what they need. I was in school when this happened. I saw it. I know how it is. Trigger the hell out of them. Get rid of that, and let’s move forward. I’ll help. My board’s in.”
McMahon said aside from the influence schools can have on harm reduction education, “This isn’t just a school issue, it’s a Marblehead culture issue, and it’s one that gets brushed aside again and again.”
He said, “Everyone knows there are parents who let it happen at their houses, thinking, ‘At least if it’s here, my kid won’t be out there driving.’”
McMahon also drew a connection to past tragedies. “We all know that fog did not kill James Galante, and the more we lie about that in the community, the worse off everyone else is.”
James Galante, age 18, of Marblehead, passed away on March 18, 2022, after sustaining critical injuries from a car accident just a short distance from his home.
The school committee also acknowledged the passing of Gatchell. John Robidoux emotionally restated that Marblehead public schools have “had our counselors poised and ready” for any students experiencing grief.
He added that the district will continue to ensure extra support is in place as school begins.
“I want to thank our counselors, counseling team for their unwavering commitment to the work they do,” he said.
“It’s been a tough week. This kind of stuff is hard to talk about. So, you know, I get emotional, so just bear with me a little bit,” he said.
As Marblehead mourns the loss of Savanah Gatchell, the call to action has struck a chord with many residents. Community members have begun reaching out to elected officials to push for changes that could prevent future tragedies.
“This is about protecting our kids,” Fox concluded. “I’ll be part of any solution. But what I won’t be part of is leaving this under the wrong attempt.”
A candlelight vigil in memory of Gatchell is planned for Sunday, Aug. 24, at 6:45 p.m. at Devereux Beach.
