Tragedy has struck a community in Northern California following the death of two high school students in a car accident that occurred in Antioch in the early hours of Sunday, September 13, 2026. Dominic Starkenberg-Ferrari and Caden Kyle, both 17, were seniors at Liberty High School in Brentwood and were killed in a collision involving two vehicles.
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The Antioch Police Department received reports of a “major vehicle collision” just after midnight. Upon arrival at the scene, officers discovered two individuals trapped in a silver Infiniti, both of whom had succumbed to their injuries. A third person in the vehicle sustained injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital, along with the driver of the second vehicle involved, a white BMW. The specifics surrounding the crash are still unclear, but local footage depicted the Infiniti in a severely damaged condition at the base of a steep embankment.
The circumstances took a devastating turn when Stephanie Starkenberg-Ferrari, the mother of one of the victims, found herself at the site of the accident while frantically searching for her son. She recounted the harrowing moment she learned of her son’s fate. When he failed to return home and did not answer her calls, she and her husband set out in search of him, only to arrive at the scene marked by the flashing lights of emergency vehicles.
“I was screaming, ‘Is my son okay? Is he okay?'” she recalled in an emotional social media post. “My husband was beside me when the officer told us what happened… I screamed, ‘No, no, no! This can’t be real.'” Reflecting on her son, she described Dominic as a humorous and loving companion, expressing her profound grief. “Our hearts are shattered. There is a huge hole in my soul,” Stephanie shared. “I go between crying, screaming, shock, and numbness.”
Liberty High School’s Principal Efa Huckaby addressed the tragedy in a statement, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of students. “With deep sadness, we share that two Liberty High School students passed away and another student was injured in a tragic car accident,” he wrote. Huckaby conveyed condolences from the school community, stating, “Our hearts are with their families, friends, classmates, teammates, and everyone affected by this tragedy. This loss will be felt throughout our school community.”
As the investigation into the accident remains ongoing, local authorities are seeking assistance from the public. The Antioch Police Department, alongside the Coroner’s Division of the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff, have urged witnesses or anyone with relevant footage to step forward. Interested parties can reach out to Sgt. Green of the Traffic Unit or submit anonymous tips directly to the department.
This tragic incident highlights the devastating impact of road collisions on families and communities. As the Starkenberg-Ferrari and Kyle families mourn their losses, there is a palpable sense of sorrow shared among friends, classmates, and the broader community in Brentwood.
Both young men are remembered for their vibrant personalities and bright futures, cut short far too soon. As the community comes to terms with this heart-wrenching event, support networks and counselling services are likely to become central in assisting those affected by the tragedy.
As investigations continue, the hope is that answers will emerge regarding the circumstances of the crash, providing some measure of closure for the families involved. In these difficult times, communities often come together to support one another, and this incident will undoubtedly spur conversations about road safety and the responsibilities that come with young drivers. The impact of such a loss will linger, and the memory of Dominic and Caden will remain etched in the hearts of all who knew them.