"Family was Casey's world, and to remain even closer to them he had recently started working at their children's school," his aunt wrote on the GoFundMe page.
Good deeds remain forever in memories, but this act concluded with a tragedy. A man from California who was helping a bunch of ducks cross the road was struck and killed by a speeding car.
According to a news statement from the Rocklin Police Department (RPD), the man, Casey Rivara, stopped at the junction of Park Drive and Stanford Ranch Boulevard at around 8:15 p.m. local time on Thursday, May 18. The man was struck by a juvenile driver who was driving east on Stanford Ranch Boulevard as the victim was standing there, as per the RPD.
Sharing about the accused, Rocklin Police Department said, "As the man was in the intersection, a teenage driver was headed eastbound on Stanford Ranch Boulevard. This juvenile driver struck the pedestrian who was in the roadway. The driver remained at the scene of the collision." Police reported that the man was declared dead at the site of the incident.
Although the driver was still present, he was not taken into custody or prosecuted. There is a continuing inquiry, according to the RPD, reports PEOPLE. He was driving his children home from swim practice "when they saw a mamma duck and ducklings struggling to cross a busy intersection," his aunt said on a GoFundMe set up to assist the family.
Casey Rivara, 41, saw a family of ducks trying to cross in Rocklin, about 40 kilometers northeast of Sacramento, according to a statement from...#Traffic #USA #Worldhttps://t.co/gUSwNggMLQ
— Türkiye News (@turkiyenewsen) May 23, 2023
A 12-year-old child who saw the crash told NBC station KCRA-TV that before the guy was struck, the community had praised him for his deed of compassion. According to CBS station KVOR, flowers and rubber ducks were placed at the spot on Friday, May 19, in an impromptu tribute. "Everyone was clapping because he was being really nice," said the boy.
"Family was Casey's world, and to remain even closer to them he had recently started working at their children's school. He loved working at the school as he was able to positively impact other children," his aunt wrote on the fundraising page.
Casey Rivara (41) pulled over to help a mamma duck & her babies cross a road in California. Shortly after he was hit and killed by a teen driver. His children were in his car, it's all gut wrenching. RIP hero.
— Patty Dixon🇺🇲🇺🇦 (@PattyLDixon) May 23, 2023
GoFundMe: https://t.co/GBtF47GW0b#GoFundMe #DoSomeGood #RIP
In a comment posted on the website, the family member added, "Casey got out of the car to help the ducks safely across the road. However, when he was heading back to the car, he was tragically struck by a car. Casey was the kindest, most amazing husband and father. Even his last act in this world was a sign of his compassion." Rivara is survived by his wife Angel and their "two beautiful children."
No arrest has been made as reported by the police department in a press release. "No arrest was made, and the incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact the Rocklin Police Department," the release said as it concluded with condolences for the kins of the deceased.
References:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/caseys-final-act-of-kindness
https://www.uspdhub.com/OnlineBulletin.aspx?BLID=oKC9ZJvM96Yirhmalli
https://people.com/human-interest/kindest-dad-dies-struck-by-car-helping-ducks-cross-road/
https://www.kcra.com/article/rocklin-crash-pedestrian-dies-stanford-ranch/43936547
Cover Image Source: GoFundMe
