Family of Woman Killed by Tree in Pacific Beach Files Lawsuit

The family of a woman killed when a tree fell and crushed her car in Pacific Beach in January has filed a lawsuit against the City of San Diego.

Nicki Carano, 48, a professional drummer, had been on her way to a performance on Sunday, January 31 when a tree fell across the road at Ingraham Street, crushing her car beneath it.

Carano died at the scene.

Now, eight months later, her family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city, claiming there was a known defect in the tree that was hazardous. The lawsuit does not go into detail about the alleged defect.

Loved ones will hold a memorial service Saturday for Nicki Carano, a San Diego musician and dancer killed by a falling tree on Jan. 31, 2016, amid a powerful winter storm. NBC 7’s Steve Luke reports.

The lawsuit goes on to claim that the city did not take the proper steps to insure the safety of people, including not cutting down branches that may impose a hazard.

The storm that swept through San Diego County at the time caused major flooding and downed hundreds of tree. City emergency dispatch had received close to 350 calls of downed or damaged trees on its 24-hour hotline.