Sausalito Resident Dies Following Tragic Vehicle Submersion Incident at Southern Marin Yacht Harbor

Brian Thayer Mullins, 76, died after his car drove off a Sausalito boardwalk into ten feet of water. A passenger escaped, but rescue divers faced a difficult recovery.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 12:04 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from East Bay Times

Fatal Submersion at Sausalito Yacht Harbor

A quiet afternoon at the Sausalito waterfront turned into a desperate rescue operation after a vehicle plunged into the bay near a popular marina. According to Sausalito police Capt. Brian Mather, the incident occurred at approximately 2:40 p.m. on Monday at the intersection of Humboldt Avenue and the Sausalito Yacht Harbor. Witnesses observed a vehicle drive off a pedestrian boardwalk and sink into roughly ten feet of water. Despite the rapid arrival of emergency services, the driver remained trapped beneath the surface for a critical duration, ultimately leading to a fatal outcome at a local medical facility.

Strategic Recovery Efforts in Deep Water

The recovery process involved a high stakes collaboration between Southern Marin firefighters and a specialized private diver. Emergency teams worked in high pressure conditions to locate the vehicle, which had come to rest in a challenging position on the harbor floor. Once the driver was successfully extracted from the cabin and brought to a nearby dock, paramedics initiated life saving measures while en route to the hospital. However, the depth of the water and the time elapsed during the recovery proved insurmountable, and the individual was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival.

Identification of the Deceased and Pending Autopsy

Chief Deputy Coroner Roger Fielding identified the victim on Tuesday as Brian Thayer Mullins, a 76 year old resident of Sausalito. The Coroner’s Office has launched a formal investigation to determine the exact cause of death, which will include a review of potential medical events that may have preceded the crash. As a well known local resident, the news of Mullins’ death has impacted the close knit marina community. Officials have not yet commented on whether mechanical failure or a sudden health crisis played a role in the vehicle’s trajectory.