Two middle school student-athletes, 16-year-old Claire Esmond and her friend Mollie Buff, lost their lives in a fatal car accident on the evening of February 13, 2025.
Reportedly, three juniors from Holland Hall were involved in the accident near 91st Street and Riverside Drive in Tulsa, Oklahoma. However, it claimed the lives of two.
Claire Esmond, a dedicated hockey player, and her close friend Mollie Buff were pronounced dead at the scene. While the third student, whose identity remains concealed, is hospitalized in critical condition.
According to reports, the vehicle, driven by one of the students, struck an embankment and overturned into a deep creek.
Likewise, witnesses reported a Tesla running off the road near the river, and Tulsa Police officers and a helicopter discovered it in Joe Creek.
According to police, the accident scene suggested that the Tesla ran off the road just north of 91st, continued through the grassy area, and ended up in the creek east of Riverside.
Tulsa Police mentioned they were alerted to the fatal incident around 9:45 p.m. The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation.
Following the outbreak of the news, upper school classes were canceled on Friday, February 14, to allow the community to grieve.
The school broke the tragic news, which reads:
Dear Holland Hall Community,
I have unimaginable news to share. And I have no words deep enough to express my sorrow for what this loss means to the Holland Hall community.
Late Thursday evening, three of our juniors were involved in a tragic car accident near 91st and Riverside. Two of these students did not survive. Another remains in critical condition. We will share the names as soon as we have permission from all the families.
Claire Esmond Was an Active Member of the Holland Hall Hockey Team!
The 26-year-old Claire Esmond was a dedicated and talented field hockey player at Holland Hall School.
As a junior in the Class of 2026, she played for the Holland Hall Varsity Field Hockey team, proudly wearing the number 14 jersey.
Claire, an outgoing person and someone who made everyone feel at home, loved spending time with her friends, as evidenced by her Instagram profile.
Her funeral service is scheduled at Battle Creek Church on March 1, 2025. Her family has requested donations to be made to New Life Ranch instead of flowers.
Mollie Buff Is Survived by Her Parents, Mark and Toni, and Two Siblings, Alex and Allie!
Mollie Buff left behind her mother, Toni Tawater Buffington, father, Mark Buffington, sister, Allie, and brother, Alex.
Her mother, Toni, is a former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, whereas details about her father aren’t available at the moment.
Meanwhile, details surrounding Mollie’s funeral service are yet to be known.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Claire Esmond was a devout Christian. She wrote on her Instagram bio, “Love like Jesus!”
- In response to the tragedy, Holland Hall has made chaplains and counselors available to students, faculty, and families.
