Woman killed by falling tree publicly identified

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – A motorist killed by a falling tree in Pacific Beach amid a blustery winter storm has been publicly identified as a local musician and dance instructor.

Nicki L. Carano, 48, was fatally injured when an uprooted 8-foot diameter tree fell across Ingraham Street near Fortuna Avenue shortly after 3 p.m. Sunday, according to city fire officials and the county Medical Examiner’s Office.

Her small Honda sedan was one of four cars crushed by falling branches. Carano died at the scene, authorities said. She was killed while headed to a performance in Ocean Beach with her band Spider Tree, according to news reports.

According to an online biography, Carano taught dance, drumming and musical theater for more than 15 years in addition to performing.

She had taught at numerous local campuses including the Academy Of Performing Arts San Diego, Mesa College, UC San Diego and the Coronado School of the Arts, according to the Academy Of Performing Arts.

Sunday 7:08 p.m. – Numerous trees fell across San Diego County Sunday, one killed a motorist while driving down a Pacific Beach street.   

San Diego Fire Rescue was called to the scene shortly after 3:00 p.m. in the 3900 block of Ingraham Street near Fortuna Avenue, according to Capt. Joe Amador.    

An 8-foot diameter oak tree fell across all four lanes of the street, crushing four cars, including a small Honda sedan containing the victim, whose identity was withheld.   

Firefighters worked to remove the victim’s body from the crushed car more than two hours after the tree toppled on it.   

Traffic was diverted from the area in both directions.   

Due to the size of the tree, Amador said crews would probably have to remain on scene throughout the night.   

Strong winds were reported in the area at the time the tree toppled, authorities said.