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Coroner Identifies Novato Man Killed in Dec. 22 Crash

Joseph Pilotte, 64, died when his truck sailed over a center divide barrier on Highway 101 in San Rafael and struck an oncoming vehicle.

Novato resident Joseph Pilotte was identified Wednesday as the 64-year-old man killed Dec. 22 in a collision on Highway 101 in San Rafael, according to the Marin County Sheriff/Coroner's Office.

Pilotte's northbound truck flipped on 101, sailed over the center divide barrier and crashed into another SUV in the oncoming southbound lanes.

Pilotte was behind the wheel of a red 1991 Toyota 4Runner with a camper shell when he apparently lost control at 3:10 p.m. and struck a Honda Pilot, the California Highway Patrol said.

In addition to Pilotte, four people from Windsor who were in the Honda Pilot were transported to Marin General Hospital. The Honda driver, 46-year-old Waleed Abdel Mageed, of Windsor, suffered moderate injuries, as did an 11-year-old boy. A 30-year-old woman and a 6-year-old girl suffered minor injuries.

The cause of the crash remained under investigation, but driver intoxication did not appear to be a factor, CHP Sgt. Shirley Lawson said. Lt. Keith Boyd of the coroner's division said there was no information ready to be released about the official cause of the death. The CHP has not released a cause of the crash.

— Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

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Elena Keating December 26, 2012 at 07:03 pm
Joseph was a sweet man. A gentle giant, incredibly strong. I got to know him back in the day when I worked at Nautilus of Marin in Novato. Joseph was from Haiti originally, many people in Marin know him as the French speaking cook who has been at LeCroissant in San Rafael forever. The extreme direction he took when he lost control makes me think he had some kind of health emergency behind the wheel, but I don't know. So sorry Joseph, rest in peace.
Jerome J Ghigliotti Jr December 27, 2012 at 01:06 am
Condolences. But I still think that everyone 65 and older should have an eye test and a driving test every year; and a medical note from their doctor would be a good idea, too, with some teeth so that the doctors do not tell little white lies. Yes, I am 65 years old.
Brent Ainsworth (Editor) December 27, 2012 at 02:50 am
Thanks for the comment, Elena. Your speculation about what happened is consistent with what family members have mentioned in emails to Novato Patch. Many people knew him as Andre, they said.
Louise Schuur December 27, 2012 at 07:39 am
I know him as Andre, the Cook from Le Croissant. I've known him for years and everytime I visit Marin County, I always pay him a visit to have breakfast at Le Croissant. He was a sweet and gentle guy and he will be missed!
R.I.P. Andre! Louise from Holland
Kris beale December 27, 2012 at 01:35 pm
Andre was a friend of mine for 20 years. Such a generous sweet kind sincere person, very hard worker and great cook. What a tragedy! My sincere condolences to his brother and the rest of the family. I would like to know when the service is. Kind regards- Kris Beale from San Rafael
Kris beale December 27, 2012 at 01:37 pm
And Jerome's comment was inappropriate in this venue at this time. Those types of comments don't belong here.
Charlie Potatoes December 27, 2012 at 05:45 pm
I agree. Moreover, sixty five is not old. And from what I understand, this gentleman took good care of himself How do we determine the cut off age? There are folks south of age 50 who might have health conditions which might make them at risk too. I am more afraid of sixteen year old drivers, with motor control/impulsive control issues, than I am of a level headed, healthy driver of sixty five.
Pat Nims December 27, 2012 at 06:09 pm
And seeing that Joseph Pilotte was 64 years old, how is your comment is appropriate or relevant here?
Arvid P. Sloan December 27, 2012 at 09:11 pm
Everyone knows what kind of person Jerome is.
He reveals himself daily. I think he is a liberal trying to discredit conservatives with his silly, nasty and not well thought out comments.
Tamara December 28, 2012 at 02:41 pm
There will be a viewing held today Friday 12/28/12 at Mount Tamalpais Mortuary Cemetery 2500 5th Avenue San Rafael, CA 94901 from 10 am-4 pm. The funeral service will be held at the same location on Saturday 12/29/12 @ 2 pm and there will also be a viewing prior to the funeral service starting at 10 am on Saturday
Tamara December 28, 2012 at 02:42 pm
There will be a viewing held today Friday 12/28/12 at Mount Tamalpais Mortuary Cemetery 2500 5th Avenue San Rafael, CA 94901 from 10 am-4 pm. The funeral service will be held at the same location on Saturday 12/29/12 @ 2 pm and there will also be a viewing prior to the funeral service starting at 10 am on Saturday
Tamara December 28, 2012 at 02:45 pm
There will be a viewing held today Friday 12/28/12 at Mount Tamalpais Mortuary Cemetery 2500 5th Avenue San Rafael, CA 94901 from 10 am-4 pm. The funeral service will be held at the same location on Saturday 12/29/12 @ 2 pm and there will also be a viewing prior to the funeral service starting at 10 am on Saturday
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