SAN RAFAEL, CA – Authorities have identified the man fatally struck by a Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) train on Monday afternoon as 54-year-old Gregory Conroy Ingrassia, a San Rafael resident. The tragic collision occurred around 3 p.m. near the intersection of North San Pedro Road and Los Ranchitos Road.
According to the Marin County Sheriff’s Office Coroner Division, the train’s engineer spotted Ingrassia on the tracks and immediately took action to avoid a collision. Emergency brakes were activated, and the warning horn was sounded, but despite these efforts, the train struck Ingrassia. He sustained severe blunt force injuries and was found unconscious at the scene. Emergency responders declared him dead shortly after their arrival.
Preliminary findings indicate that Ingrassia did not move off the tracks in time to avoid the train. Investigators have yet to determine why he was on the tracks, and authorities are conducting a forensic postmortem examination and toxicology tests as part of the ongoing investigation.
The incident has raised concerns about safety along the railway corridor. SMART representatives stated that the train operator followed all protocols to prevent the collision. However, the tragic event underscores the need for increased awareness of railway safety, particularly in areas where pedestrian activity is more common.
Both the San Rafael Police Department and the Marin County Sheriff’s Office are collaborating to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the collision. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage, eyewitness accounts, and operational records from SMART to determine whether other factors contributed to the incident.
As the community mourns the loss of Ingrassia, local officials are reminding residents to exercise caution around train tracks and respect posted signage and barriers. Anyone with additional information about the incident is encouraged to contact the San Rafael Police Department or the Marin County Sheriff’s Office.