Man Fatally Struck By SMART Train In San Rafael​ Identified

SAN RAFAEL, CA — Authorities have identified a man fatally struck by a Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit train earlier this month in San Rafael.

Martin Ray Hoffman Jr., 36, who had homes in San Rafael and Oroville, Washington, was struck by a train around 6:50 p.m. on July 3, according to the Marin County Sheriff's Office.

The coroner's office said Hoffman was riding his bicycle across the train tracks through the closed rail crossing guard near the Marin County Civic Center station and North San Pedro Road when he struck the barrier, fell onto the tracks and the train struck him.

"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," officials said.

Hoffman was taken to Marin General Hospital, where he died from his injuries, according to the coroner's office. Hoffman did not have identification on him so there was a delay in determining his identity and finding next of kin to notify them of his death.