US man killed while helping ducklings cross street

Man struck, and killed as he stopped to help ducks cross a busy California street

Casey Rivara died in Rockin, Calif. on May 18, 2023, after he was hit by a car when he helped a mother duck and her several ducklings crossPhoto byGoFuneMe/Vlad Georgescu via Getty Images

A Californian community is in grieving after a good Samaritan was killed by a car on Thursday night after he assisted a mother duck and several of her ducklings in crossing a busy crossroads.

According to local authorities, Casey Rivara was reportedly hit by a teenage driver near the intersection of Stanford Ranch Road and Park Drive in Rocklin, California.

Rivara, age 41, reportedly parked his own car at the crossroads after spotting the waddling ducks struggling to cross a road with a 45 kph speed limit. Rivara knelt down to lead the queue of eight to ten ducklings to safety while others waiting at the crossroads snapped photos of him.

Many onlookers clapped, honked, and cheered for Rivara at the stopped intersection, as per the Washington Post.

Rivara was struck before he could get back to his car, despite the fact that the mother duck and her furry ducklings reached the sidewalk unscathed. When Rivara's father was hit by the 17-year-old driver, Rivara's two children, ages 11 and 6, were waiting in the parked car. Rivara and the kids were making their way home from a neighboring swimming lesson.

Rivara died at the scene. The unidentified teenager driver remained close by as emergency personnel tried to revive Rivara.

No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing, according to the Rocklin Police Department.

Since Rivara passed away on Thursday, residents of Rocklin created a temporary memorial for Rivara at the scene of his death, complete with flowers and yellow rubber ducks.

Twelve-year-old William, who witnessed the crash, told authorities that Rivara assisted the family of ducks in crossing the roadway while he was taking his picture.

"I didn't see how the car hit him directly. The sound and his flying across the intersection are the only things I can recall, said William. "Even though I didn't know him at all, I could tell that he was a really amazing person."

Tracey Rivara, Rivara's aunt, launched a GoFundMe page to help the family.

"Casey was the most amazing, kind-hearted husband and father. Even his final deed demonstrated his kindness, Tracey noted.

Over US$80,000 has been raised through GoFundMe, greatly above the initial $30,000 target.