Marin County, California (February 6, 2026) — A 75-year-old Novato bicyclist was killed Friday afternoon after being struck by an SUV on San Antonio Road in rural Marin County. Authorities identified the victim as Daniel Irvin Fred, a longtime real estate developer known for his work in affordable housing throughout California.
The collision occurred around 4:30 p.m. on San Antonio Road in an unincorporated stretch just south of the Marin–Sonoma county line, approximately eight miles from Petaluma.
Incident Details: According to the California Highway Patrol, Fred was riding his bicycle southbound on San Antonio Road when a southbound Toyota Highlander struck him from behind. The driver of the SUV, identified as 31-year-old Kevin Simonis of Petaluma, stopped immediately, called 911, and attempted CPR.
Deputies from the Marin County Sheriff’s Office arrived shortly thereafter and pronounced Fred dead at the scene. The Marin County coroner later confirmed the cause of death as blunt trauma and ruled the manner of death accidental.
Authorities stated that the driver was not injured, remained at the scene, and cooperated fully with investigators. Law enforcement officials said drugs and alcohol are not suspected factors in the crash, and no arrests have been made.
San Antonio Road is a rural corridor near the Sonoma County line. While many fatal bicycle crashes occur on urban arterials, rural roadways can also pose risks due to higher vehicle speeds, narrower shoulders, and limited lighting or visibility.
Investigation: The CHP’s Marin division is leading the traffic investigation, while the Marin County Sheriff’s Office handled coroner duties. As part of a standard fatal collision inquiry, investigators will likely examine roadway design, shoulder width, vehicle positioning, sight distance, and potential visibility limitations at the time of impact.
Collision reconstruction efforts typically include analysis of vehicle speed, braking patterns, impact angles, and any available surveillance or dash camera footage. Investigators may also assess whether the cyclist was riding on the marked shoulder or in the roadway, and whether any evasive maneuvers were attempted prior to impact.
Because the vehicle struck the bicyclist from behind while both were traveling in the same direction, determining following distance and driver attentiveness will be central to understanding how the collision occurred. Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the crash to contact the CHP Santa Rosa office.
Legal Considerations: Fatal bicycle collisions often raise questions about reasonable care, speed, and driver awareness, even when impairment is not suspected. Under California law, motorists are required to maintain a safe passing distance and exercise due caution when approaching vulnerable road users, including bicyclists.
If the investigation reveals evidence of negligence in the crash, the Fred family has grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This legal action would seek compensation for the emotional anguish suffered by the surviving family members, as well as for financial losses, including funeral costs and the loss of the deceased’s financial support.
I offer my sincere condolences to Daniel’s family, friends, and colleagues during this challenging time.
Sources: Marin Independent Journal / Hoodline