San Diego man was outside own home when falling branches killed him Christmas Eve

by Alex Riggins

The man who was struck and killed by part of a falling tree Tuesday in City Heights amid powerful winds that swept into San Diego on Christmas Eve was identified Thursday as 61-year-old Roberto Ruiz Salmeron, according to the county Medical Examiner’s Office.

The tree split into several large pieces around 10:55 a.m., and one of those sections fell and struck Ruiz while he was standing on the sidewalk adjacent to his home near the corner of Marlborough Avenue and Wightman Street, according to the Medical Examiner’s Office and San Diego Fire-Rescue Capt. Jason Shanley.

Firefighters who were called to the scene were told the victim was trapped under the tree branches and his family unsuccessfully tried to free him, Shanley said Tuesday. Fire crews and police officers were able to pull him out and provide medical aid, but he died at the scene.

The Medical Examiner’s Office listed Ruiz’s time of death as 11:14 a.m., about 20 minutes after he was struck by the falling branches. The office did not provide Ruiz’s cause of death.

San Diego, CA - December 24: Crews clear debris after branches from tree at the corner of Marlborough Avenue and Wightman Street in City Heights fell and killed a man during high winds on December 24, 2025 in San Diego, CA. One branch fell on a patio, left, and another split from the tree at right striking the victim. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune) — Crews clear debris Tuesday after branches from a tree at the corner of Marlborough Avenue and Wightman Street in City Heights fell and killed Roberto Ruiz Salmeron. One portion of branches fell on a patio, left, and another split from the tree at right, striking the victim. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

City arborists were called to the scene a short time later to safely bring down the rest of the tree, part of which also fell on the nearby home, according to Shanley.

The Christmas Eve storm believed responsible for causing the tree to splinter packed winds that were stronger than expected, toppling trees across the city and knocking out power to about 14,000 customers.