Pedestrian Killed As Motorist Flees Falling Tree Identified

MILL VALLEY, CA – The Marin County Sheriff's Office has identified a man who was killed by a vehicle as he fled a falling tree Wednesday night as Darren Malvin, 52, of Mill Valley.

Malvin called 911 to report power lines were knocked onto the road from the rainstorm at the Laverne and North Ferndale avenues intersection in unincorporated Marin County outside Mill Valley, sheriff's officials said.

While waiting for the Mill Valley Fire Department to arrive, a vehicle pulled in front of his residence. Malvin was speaking with the driver inside the vehicle through an open window when they heard overhead tree branches breaking falling to the ground around 8:30 p.m., according to the sheriff's office.

Malvin ran for cover from the debris to the front of the vehicle at the same time the driver accelerated to avoid being struck by the falling tree, sheriff's officials said.

The vehicle struck Malvin and knocked him to the ground.

Paramedics provided first aid and took Malvin to Marin General Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

According to Malvin's LinkedIn profile, he was the CEO of American Solar Corp.

A postmortem examination and toxicology tests are scheduled for Friday. The California Highway Patrol and the Marin County Sheriff's Office's Coroner Division are investigating the death.

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PREVIOUS: THURSDAY, JAN. 17, 10:34 p.m.

A driver trying to evade a falling tree struck and killed a pedestrian in unincorporated Mill Valley Wednesday, the California Highway Patrol said.

Officers were called at approximately 8:30 p.m. to the intersection of Laverne and North Ferndale avenues for the pedestrian, who had suffered major injuries after being hit. The victim, whose name was not released pending notification of kin, was taken to Marin General Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries, officials said.

Prior to the collision, a small group of residents had gathered outdoors after calling 911 to report downed power lines, the agency said. As they waited for crews to arrive for the downed wires, two additional neighbors arrived -- one on foot and one driving a van.

The witnesses told the CHP that while they were talking, a wind gust caused the tree above them to crack, and fearing for their safety they attempted to flee. As the man ran around the front of the vehicle, the motorist was pulling forward and struck him, authorities said.

"Fire crews were on scene almost immediately after the collision as they were already on the way to handle the downed power lines," the CHP said. "Crews quickly tended to the male and transported him to the hospital. Despite their quick response and life saving efforts, the man's injuries were too severe, and he passed away."

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--Shutterstock image/Bay City News contributed to this report