More than $150,000 has been raised for the family of a father-of-two who died ushering a family of ducklings across a busy road.
Casey Rivara, 41, was hit by a teenage driver at the intersection of Park Drive and Stanford Ranch Boulevard in Rocklin, California on Friday evening of last week.
He had been driving his two children home from swim practice when he pulled over after spotting the stranded mother duck with her family of ducklings.
After getting out to help the flock waddle across the busy road to safety, Mr Rivara was struck and killed by a 17-year-old female driver as his helpless children, Sophia and James, aged 11 and six, watched on from the family car.
Now a GoFundMe page has been set up 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 caught on camera by 12-year-old William Wimsatt just moments before he was killed by a teen driver on a California highway last week
Casey Rivara is remembered as a loving husband and father by his heartbroken family. A GoFundMe page has been set up in his memory to raise money for the family
Mr Rivara’s aunt Tracy Rivara set the page up earlier this week in memory of her nephew. So far over $150,000 has been raised for the bereaved family, vastly eclipsing the initial target of $30,000.
‘Casey was the kindest, most amazing 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 keep going after this immense loss. If you would like to express your love and support for Angel and her family, we ask that you please contribute 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 quickly 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 remain even closer to them he had recently started working at their children’s school’ his aunt added.
‘He loved working at the school as he was able to positively impact other children.’
Rubber ducks have been left at a temporary memorial to Casey Rivara in tribute to his last act of kindness
Left to Right: Casey Rivara is pictured with his wife, the ‘love of his life’, Angel, and their two children James, six, and Sophia, 11
Following the outpouring of financial support for Mr Rivara’s family, his aunt thanked those who had 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 are 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 solace to know that in this tragedy so many people can find a message of love and compassion. Keep being kind!’
The teen driver who struck Mr Rivara down remained at the scene of the accident and is cooperating with the police investigation.
However, a spokesperson for the local Placer County Sheriff’s Office told NBC News that the 17-year-old would likely not be charged over the death.
A number of other individuals were present at the scene of the incident. William Wimsatt, 12, the child of another driver, captured 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 was shooing the ducks everyone was clapping because he was being really nice.’
‘He helped them get up on the curb because the baby duckies were having trouble.’
Casey Rivara, 41, (left) was hit and killed by a teen driver as his children Sophia, 11, (second right) and James, six, (second left) watched on from their car. They are pictured with widow Angel (right)
Casey Rivara, 41, was hit by a teenage driver at the intersection of Park Drive and Stanford Ranch Boulevard in Rocklin, California on Friday evening of last week
The Wimsatt family thanked Mr Rivara for his good deed, but moments later a car struck and killed the Good Samaritan.
‘All I remember is the sound and then him flying across the intersection,’ William added, ‘his shoes and one of his socks were right in front of our car.’
‘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.’
After the devastating incident William’s mother got out of her car and comforted Mr Rivara’s children who were sitting in the parked car and witnessed the collision.
A temporary memorial has since been created at the site of the crash. Locals have been leaving the traditional flowers, as well as rubber ducks in tribute to Mr Rivara’s last act of kindness.
