More than $150,000 has been raised for the family of a father of two who died while guiding a family of ducklings down a busy road.
Casey Rivara, 41, was hit by a teenage driver Friday night last week at the intersection of Park Drive and Stanford Ranch Boulevard in Rocklin, California.
He was bringing his two kids home from swim practice when he stopped after seeing the stranded mother duck with her family of ducklings.
After getting out to help the herd stagger down the busy road to safety, Mr Rivara was hit and killed by a 17-year-old female driver while his helpless children, Sophia and James, aged 11 and 6, watched from the family car .
Now one GoFundMe page was established in his memory to raise money to support Mr. Rivara’s devastated widow, Ngating Chow, and their two children.
The father’s heroic act was captured on camera by 12-year-old William Wimsatt just before he was killed by a teenage driver on a California highway last week
Casey Rivara is remembered by his heartbroken family as a loving husband and father. A GoFundMe page has been set up in his memory to raise money for the family
Mr. Rivara’s aunt, Tracy Rivara, posted the page earlier this week in memory of her nephew. To date, more than $150,000 has been raised for the bereaved, vastly exceeding the initial goal of $30,000.
“Casey was the kindest, most wonderful husband and father. Even his last act in this world was a sign of his compassion,” Ms. Rivara wrote.
“The family is trying to figure out how to recover and carry on after this huge loss. If you would like to express your love and support for Angel and her family, please make a contribution here in lieu of flowers, meals and other acts of kindness.”
Ms. Rivara described how Mr. Rivara met the love of his life, Angel, in high school when they were just 17: “They soon fell madly in love and remained inseparable partners for the past 23 years,” she wrote.
The couple shared two children who attended Maria Montessori Charter Academy, where their father was also an employee.
“His family was Casey’s world, and to stay even closer to them, he had recently started working at their children’s school,” his aunt added.
“He loved working at school because he was able to positively influence other children.”
Rubber ducks have been left at a temporary memorial to Casey Rivara as a tribute to his last act of kindness
From left: Casey Rivara is pictured with his wife, the ‘love of his life’, Angel, and their two children James, six, and Sophia, 11
After the outpouring of financial support for Mr. Rivara’s family, his aunt thanked those who donated to the page.
Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for the outpouring of support.
“Since this terrible tragedy, we have received so many messages and gestures of support and have been deeply touched by everyone’s kindness and generosity.
“It means so much to us to know that Casey touched so many lives, and his memory will live on. It gives us some comfort to know that in this tragedy so many people can find a message of love and compassion. Stay friendly!’
The teenage driver who hit Mr. Rivara remained at the scene of the accident and is cooperating with the police investigation.
However, a spokesman for the local Placer County Sheriff’s Office told NBC News that the 17-year-old would likely not be charged in the death.
Several other people were present at the scene of the incident. William Wimsatt, 12, the child of another driver, recorded Rivara’s act of kindness in helping the ducks across the road.
The 12-year-old told 3KCRA, “He got out of the car, he chased the ducks away and everyone applauded because he was being really nice.”
“He helped them up the curb because the baby ducks were in trouble.”
Casey Rivara, 41, (left) was hit and killed by a teenage driver as his children Sophia, 11, (second right) and James, six, (second from left) watched from their car. They are pictured with widow Angel (right)
Casey Rivara, 41, was hit by a teenage driver last Friday night at the intersection of Park Drive and Stanford Ranch Boulevard in Rocklin, California
The Wimsatt family thanked Mr. Rivara for his good deed, but moments later a car hit the Good Samaritan and killed him.
‘All I remember is the sound and then he flew over the intersection,’ William added, ‘his shoes and one of his socks were right in front of our car.’
“He was the only person who got out of the car and tried to help them and probably the nicest person in the whole area. It’s not fair.’
After the devastating incident, William’s mother got out of her car and comforted Mr. Rivara’s children who were in the parked car and witnessed the collision.
A temporary memorial has now been erected at the site of the crash. The locals have left behind the traditional flowers and rubber ducks as a tribute to Mr. Rivara’s last act of kindness.
