Thursday night in Rocklin, California was rife with a bizarre mix of a touching act of kindness and a tragic accident that took the life of a noble-hearted man, Casey Rivara.
After a typical day, punctuated with his children’s swim practice, an unexpected scene caught Rivara’s eye; a cluster of ducks, struggling to navigate the hazardous journey across a busy road. With his heart in the right place, Rivara decided to lend a hand.
A growing crowd of onlookers took pause from their journeys, snapping pictures and applauding the scene that unfolded before them. The father of two, the gentle giant, ushered the family of ducks to safety, recalled William, a 12-year-old witness. “He got out of the car and was shooing the ducks, and everyone was clapping because he was being really nice,” he said. William cheered Rivara on, commending his kind act through his car window.
However, in a heartbeat, the uplifting scene took a horrifying turn. Rivara was suddenly struck by a vehicle at approximately 8:15 p.m., as revealed by a press release from the Rocklin Police Department. The driver, a teenager, stayed at the scene and cooperated fully with the police. Despite the swift response of the first responders, their efforts proved futile. Rivara succumbed to his injuries on the spot.
The police have not made any arrests yet, as an investigation into the incident is still ongoing. William, still reeling from the shocking event, admitted he did not witness the accident but could hear it. The trauma compelled him to skip school in the aftermath. In a poignant statement, William lamented, “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.”
Jude, another 12-year-old who witnessed the tragic event, later returned to the scene to pay tribute to Rivara’s memory by laying flowers and rubber ducks.
In a heart-wrenching Facebook post on Sunday, Rivara’s widow, Angel Chow, expressed her gratitude for the support and kind words received during this challenging time. She invited people to share their stories about her late husband, intending to immortalize Rivara’s legacy in a book filled with treasured memories for their children. “This book will serve as a lasting tribute to his life, showcasing the profound impact he had on those around him,” Chow concluded.
To help the bereaved family cope with the devastating loss, Rivara’s aunt, Tracey, initiated a GoFundMe campaign. At the time of writing, the campaign had amassed over $85,000. She beautifully captured the essence of Rivara’s compassionate nature, stating, “Casey was the kindest, most amazing husband and father. Even his last act in this world was a sign of his compassion.” She urged well-wishers to contribute to the campaign as a testament of their love and support for Angel and her family, in place of flowers, meals, and other traditional acts of kindness.
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Sources: Westernjournal, KCRA-TV
