On Sunday evening, November 01, 2020 at approximately 8:47 P.M. it was reported to 9-1-1 a solo motor vehicle traffic collision occurred at the dead end in the 1100 block of Bel Marin Keys Boulevard, Novato.  Per witness accounts moments before the collision, a Honda Civic sedan vehicle was observed travelling eastbound on the roadway at a high rate of speed, when for unknown reasons failed to slow or stop prior to the roadway terminating.  The vehicle then left the roadway surface, collided with multiple fixed objects before coming to rest fully submerged in the navigational loch waterway of the lagoon, which leads to the San Pablo Bay.  First Responders were immediately dispatched to the scene and arrived shortly after to discover the vehicle underwater in the waterway with no signs of life.  Extensive rescue efforts ensued including the services of the Southern Marin Fire Department and Marin County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team’s personnel, who located an unresponsive subject inside the vehicle.  At approximately 10:34 P.M., the subject was successfully extricated from the underwater vehicle, brought to land and remained in cardiopulmonary arrest.  Sadly, due to his prolonged water submersion his death was pronounced on the scene without further resuscitative aid provided.

The decedent has been positively identified as:

Mr. Kunal Vinay PRADHAN, a 25- year-old male from Novato, CA

A forensic post mortem examination and toxicology testing has been scheduled for Tuesday, November 03, 2020.   The cause and manner of death will be pending the conclusion of the investigation being completed by the California Highway Patrol - Marin Office 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 California Highway Patrol - Marin Office.

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

CONTACT

Roger G. Fielding

Chief Deputy Coroner

415-473-6043