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.
