Heroic father hit and killed by car just moments after helping family of ducks cross road
Published
| Last updated
A Californian man has been hit and killed by a car after helping ducklings cross the road safely.
KCRA 3 reported the man was struck by the vehicle on Stanford Ranch Road and Park Drive just after 8pm by a 17-year-old girl.
Just moments before, the heroic dad, identified as Casey Rivera, was helping a family of ducklings cross the road, according to witnesses.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene as his helpless children saw the whole collision while sitting in their family car.
No arrests have been made yet, and the 17-year-old is fully cooperating with police as they conduct an investigation.
William, 12, who saw their entire incident, told the outlet: "He got out of the car and was shooing the ducks and everyone was clapping because he was being really nice.
"He helped them get up over the curb because all the little baby duckies were having trouble and then he walked in front of our car,"
William even snapped a few pics of the kind act before the man was killed.
He said his mother wound down the window to praise the father for his help seconds before he was hit.
"I didn't see the car actually hit him. All I remember is the sound and then him flying across the intersection," he said.
"His shoes and one of his socks were right in front of our car."
William, who took the next day off school still upset from the trauma, said that he wants everyone to remember the man for his selflessness.
"He was the only person to get out of the car and try and help them and probably the nicest person in the entire area. It's not fair," he added.
A temporary memorial site at the crash was created by another witness, with locals leaving flowers.
William left several rubber ducks at the site to honour Rivera.
According to PEOPLE, a GoFundMe was created by Rivera's aunt, who described him as the ‘kindest man’.
He is survived by his wife, Angel, and their two children.
"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 website, as per the outlet.
She added: "Casey was the kindest, most amazing husband and father.
"Even his last act in this world was a sign of his compassion."
