83-Year-Old Woman Killed In Novato SMART Train Crash

NOVATO, CA – An 83-year-old woman was killed Friday in a traffic collision involving a SMART train, Novato police said.

Officers and Novato Fire Personnel at around 11:23 a.m. Friday responded to the area of Hamilton Parkway and Nave Drive on the report of a vehicle being struck by a SMART Train, police said.

The woman was the driver and the vehicle's lone occupant, police said.

The crash prompted the closure of Hamilton Parkway in both directions from Nave Drive to Novato Skate Park.

A patrol officer in the immediate area heard the collision, located the victim’s vehicle and immediately attempted to render aid to the driver who was the only occupant of the vehicle.

“Sadly, the driver, an 83-year-old female Novato resident, died despite first responder efforts,” police said in a statement.

The SMART Train was traveling southbound just prior to the Hamilton Parkway crossing when the collision occurred, police said.

Investigators believe the woman was traveling eastbound on Hamilton Parkway and had driven under the lowered crossing arms before being struck, police said.

The Novato Police Department Accident Investigation Team responded and is working with SMART and the Marin County Sheriff’s Office Coroner Division to investigate this incident.

Rail service was stopped in the area for approximately four hours while passengers were interviewed, and the investigation was completed.

SMART Train officials responded to the scene to assist with the passengers who had been on the train at the time of the collision. No passengers on the train reported injuries.

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