Casey Rivara was the ‘kindest, most amazing husband and father’
The motorist killed after getting out of his car to help a family of ducks cross the road has been remembered as the “kindest, most amazing husband and father”.
Casey Rivara, a dad-of-two, died at the scene in Rocklin, California, after being struck around 8.15pm last Friday.
The 41-year-old had stopped his car, while taking his children, aged six and 11 home from swimming practice, to help a mother and her duckings cross the busy intersection.
Onlookers were said to have clapped as the “kind” and “compassionate” dad gently shooed the family to safety, then “all of a sudden he was hit by a car”, eyewitness, Summer Peterson told a local CBS News affiliate.
Police said the 17-year-old driver was co-operating and is unlikely to face charges.
Rivara’s widow, Angel Chow, who he met at age 17 when she joined his high school as an exchange student from Hong Kong, said in a statement: “We have been deeply touched by the overwhelming love and support we’ve received for Casey Rivara and our family in these past few days.
“We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of you for the kind messages and gestures of kindness. It’s truly humbling to hear how Casey has positively impacted your lives, and we’re extremely grateful for that.”
Rivara’s aunt, Tracey set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for his family, and as of midday Tuesday more than $62,000 (£50k) had been raised.
In a post on the page, Tracey explained that Rivara was driving his children home when they saw “a mama duck and ducklings struggling to cross a busy intersection”.
She said that Rivara was struck when he was heading back to his car.
Tracey said Angel was the “love of his life” and revealed how the pair “quickly fell madly in love and remained inseparable partners for the past 23 years”.
“Casey was the kindest, most amazing husband and father,” she added.
“Even his last act in this world was a sign of his compassion.”
Rivara’s fatal accident was watched by a number of children who had stopped to watch his kind act.
William Wimsatt, 12, told local news channel KCRA 3: “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 kerb because all the little baby duckies were having trouble and then he walked in front of our car.
“My mom rolled down the window and said, ‘Good job, good job,’ and I said, ‘Good job’ to him too.’”
Seconds late Rivara was hit.
William didn’t see the impact, but he heard it: “All I remember is the sound and then him flying across the intersection. His shoes and one of his socks were right in front of our car.”
He added: “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.”
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