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San Rafael Train Pedestrian Collision Fatality - Identity Released

The decedent has been positively identified as:

Martin Ray HOFFMAN Jr., a 36-year-old male with residences San Rafael, CA and Oroville, WA.

On Friday July 03, 2020 at approximately 6:50 PM, an individual was reported by witnesses to have been riding his bicycle across the SMART railway train tracks through the closed rail crossing guard at the North San Pedro Civic Center Station in San Rafael, when he was struck by an approaching SMART train at 6:49 PM.  First Responders were immediately summoned to the scene, arrived shortly after and located the subject, who had sustained critical injuries.  He was transported by paramedics to the Marin General Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.  The subject’s passing was reported to the Coroner Division, who immediately responded and completed a scene investigation.

Preliminary information learned during the scene investigation suggested the subject had been navigating his bicycle at speed, failed to slow or stop at the closed and activated crossing guard gate despite the flashing warning lights and crossing alarms activated.  The subject struck the barrier, fell from his bicycle and slid onto the railway tracks in front of the approaching train.  

The subject’s identity was withheld by the Coroner Division pending the completion of making positive identification as he had no ID upon his person at the time of the incident, in addition to the completion of locating and contacting the appropriate next of kin to notify them of the subject’s passing.

The decedent has been positively identified as:

Martin Ray HOFFMAN Jr., a 36-year-old male with residences San Rafael, CA and Oroville, WA.

A forensic post mortem examination and toxicology testing was completed on Monday July 06, 2020.   The cause and manner of death will be pending the conclusion of the investigation being completed by the San Rafael Police Department and the Marin County Sheriff’s Office - Coroner Division.  No further information will be released by the Coroner Division at this time, as this is an active and ongoing investigation.  Any further questions regarding the incident should be directed to the San Rafael Police Department.

The Marin County Sheriff’s Office and personnel of the Coroner Division offers our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Hoffman Jr.

CONTACT

Roger G. Fielding

Chief Deputy Coroner

415-473-6043

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