A man who tried to help a family of ducks cross the street near Sacramento was killed Thursday by a teenage girl in a quiet town on the west coast.
Rocklin is a peaceful community located 35 kilometers north of the city of Sacramento, capital of the state of California. Its official website speaks of a "healthy and growing population" and highlights its proximity to Lake Tahoe and the Bay Area.
Last Thursday, just after 20, near the corner of Park Drive and Stanford Ranch Road, Casey Rivara, 41, was traveling in a car with his children ages 11 and 6. After detecting that a family of ducks, in the middle of the street, tried to continue on their way, he parked and approached to help.
The man tried to guide them while those present applauded him for his gesture, according to William, a 12-year-old boy, who witnessed the event, to the local media KCRA 3. "He got out of the car and was scaring away the ducks and everyone was applauding because he was being so nice," she said.
In California, a man was struck and killed while trying to help a family of ducks cross the street. TV Capture
He added: "He helped them get on the sidewalk because all the ducklings were having problems and then walked in front of our car."
But from the emotion for the gesture and for the safety of the animals quickly passed to shock, since without Rivara could even react, he was fatally rammed by a car driven by a 17-year-old girl.
"I didn't see the car hit him. Only it came out of nowhere. All I remember is the sound and then him flying through the intersection. His shoes and one of his stockings were left in front of our car. He was the only good man who appeared on the spot to help the ducklings. It's not fair what happened to him," the boy lamented.
NBC, meanwhile, reproduced a statement from local police that reported that the young woman did not flee, but remained at the scene and "is unlikely to face criminal charges," said the text signed by Rocklin Police Captain Scott Horrillo.
"We still have a lot of areas and evidence to analyze, but at first glance it doesn't look like there's going to be criminal negligence," Horrillo told NBC News.
On Sunday, the Rivara family issued a statement expressing appreciation for the messages of support received.
"We have been deeply moved by the overwhelming love and support we have received for Casey Rivara and our family over these past few days."
He adds: "We want to express our sincere gratitude to all of you for the kind messages and gestures of kindness. It's truly humbling to hear how Casey has positively impacted their lives, and we're extremely grateful for that."
The victim's aunt, Tracey Rivara, set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for Casey's children and wife and has already raised more than $63,<>.
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