Fatal Novato SMART Train Crash Victim ID’d

NOVATO, CA — The victim of a last week’s fatal crash involving a SMART train has been identified as Lucy Lau Hom, 83 of Novato, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office-Coroner Division.

The crash occurred at around 11:20 a.m. Friday.

Hom was the driver and lone occupant of a vehicle that was traveling eastbound on Hamilton Parkway that was struck by the train, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Hom failed to stop at the train crossing, “driving through the crossing guard gate despite the flashing warning lights and crossing alarms activated and was subsequently struck by an oncoming SMART train traveling in the southbound direction,” the Sheriff’s Office said.

Hom was pronounced deceased on the scene.

The case remains under investigation.

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