This Marin County blog post looks at a recent hit-and-run in Novato that left an 8-year-old bicyclist injured. It also shares how people in Novato, San Rafael, and nearby towns can help police find the driver and vehicle involved.
The crash happened Friday at about 3:50 p.m. at the intersection of Vineyard Road and Sutro Avenue. Police want tips and any surveillance footage from the community to help figure out what really happened.
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What happened in Novato
Novato Police say the collision took place Friday afternoon at Vineyard Road and Sutro Avenue. An 8-year-old riding a bike ended up with minor injuries after the crash.
Witnesses described the car as a newer black Mercedes sedan driven by an older woman. After hitting the child, the driver stopped for a moment to check on them, then drove off heading west on Vineyard Road.
A passerby stayed with the child and called 9-1-1. Officers started gathering witness statements and reviewing any footage they could find from the area.
Vehicle and driver details
People at the scene said the car was a newer black Mercedes sedan. The driver, described as an older woman, paused briefly after the crash before leaving westbound on Vineyard Road.
The child got medical attention for minor injuries. Detectives still need more details from anyone who saw the car or what happened.
How you can help investigators
Novato Police want surveillance video or any info about the car or driver. They say community help is crucial to finding out who’s responsible and solving the case quickly.
If you have any information, video, or dash-cam footage from Novato or nearby Marin towns, please step forward.
Ways to share tips
- Call the Novato Police Department at 415-897-4361 with anything you know about NP26-1052. Try to include details about the Mercedes, the driver, and what you saw at the scene.
- If you’ve got surveillance footage from homes, businesses, or parked cars along Vineyard Road, Sutro Avenue, or nearby streets in Novato, San Rafael, Mill Valley, or Larkspur, check if it shows the car before or after the crash.
- Share what you remember about the car’s color, model year (if you know it), and which way it was going—westbound on Vineyard Road. Every detail helps investigators piece things together.
- You can stay anonymous if you want. Just give your tip clearly and use the number above.
What this means for Marin County safety
Crashes like this put a spotlight on pedestrian and cyclist safety all over Marin. Whether you’re on the parks/central-marin/mill-valley-sausalito-pathway/”>waterfront in Sausalito, the hills of Mill Valley, or the busy roads of Novato and San Anselmo, it’s a real concern.
The Novato case reminds us to stay alert near schools, shopping centers, and neighborhoods from Corte Madera to Fairfax. Families often bike and walk to parks, libraries, and community events.
Towns across Marin keep working on better crosswalks, lighting, and tougher traffic enforcement. Still, it’s up to all of us to watch out for each other—on downtown streets in San Rafael, around Hamilton, or even on the rural roads between Point Reyes Station and Olema. It’s not just about rules; it’s about keeping neighbors safe.
Safety reminders for Marin families
- Always wear a properly fitted bike helmet. Use lights or reflective gear, especially in the late afternoon light that’s so common in Marin’s fall and winter hours in towns like San Anselmo and Sausalito.
- Ride with traffic and obey stop signs and signals. Stick to a predictable path so drivers can actually anticipate your movements, especially in urban corridors from downtown Novato to the Marinwood neighborhood.
- Parents, take a minute to review road safety with kids riding bikes near busy intersections in Corte Madera, Larkspur, and Mill Valley. Remind them to avoid distractions as they travel along Vineyard Road and Sutro Avenue corridors.
- Drivers, please slow down in residential areas and yield to pedestrians and cyclists. This matters most near parks, schools, and shopping plazas that draw families from all over Marin County.
The Novato Police Department is still asking the public to come forward with any information as the investigation continues. In Marin’s close-knit communities—from Santa Venetia in the north to Paradise Cay in the south—everyone shares responsibility for the safety of kids on bikes.
Neighbors across Novato, San Rafael, and the broader Marin County area can help ensure swift clearance of NP26-1052. Maybe someone out there knows something, even if it seems small.
Here is the source article for this story: Novato police looking for hit-and-run driver who struck, injured 8-year-old riding bike
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