San Rafael, CA – On Monday, January 27, San Rafael Police and the Marin County Coroner started an investigation into a man who had been struck and killed by a Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) train near the North San Pedro Road grade crossing.  The Marin County Coroner’s Office identified the deceased as Gregory Conroy Ingrassia, a 54-year-old man from San Rafael.

Just before 3:15 PM, a northbound SMART train struck a man who had been on the railroad track just south of the North San Pedro Road grade crossing.  Train operators immediately notified first responders of what had occurred.  San Rafael Police and Fire personnel responded to the scene and pronounced the man deceased.

During the preliminary investigation, it was learned that the man had been witnessed on the train track just south of the North San Pedro Road grade crossing as the northbound train approached.  After sounding the horn several times and placing the train into a full emergency stop, the train was unable to stop in time and struck the man.  Based on facts obtained at the scene, it appears that the man purposely placed himself on the tracks with the intention of having the train hit him.  

North San Pedro Road between Merrydale Road and Los Ranchitos Road was closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic for over two hours during the investigation.

San Rafael’s first responders and the SMART Train operators have stated that loss of life by suicide is a community tragedy, and San Rafael Police and Fire, along with SMART, sends its condolences to Ingrassia’s family, who has been affected by this tragedy.

Additionally, SMART partnered with the County of Sonoma, County of Marin, Buckelew Programs, NAMI and the Know the Signs Campaign to send a message to the community that there is hope and there is help. Over 60 leading North Bay Companies, Nonprofits, Law Enforcement, and Government Agencies have joined together to continue the outreach effort. If you or someone you know is suffering from emotional pain, call 9-8-8, or 1-800-273-TALK, or text CONNECT to 741741 to talk confidentially to a trained professional.  Also, visit suicide is preventable.org to learn the signs, start a conversation, and learn how to get help.