Man Fatally Hit While Assisting Ducklings in NorCal Intersection

Casey Rivara, a 41-year-old father of two, died last Thursday in Rocklin, northeast of Sacramento, while trying to help a duck and her ducklings. Witnesses testified that Rivara stopped his car at a red light when he saw mama duck trying to guide her ducklings across a busy California intersection. He made sure traffic in all directions was stopped and escorted the duck and her babies to the other side of the street around 8:15 pm. Once the good deed was done, he was walking back to his car when another vehicle came through the intersection and fatally struck him.

His wife, Angel Chow explains that family was Casey’s world, he loved working in their children’s school as he could positively impact other children. “It’s truly humbling to hear how Casey has positively impacted your lives, and we’re extremely grateful for that,” Chow wrote Monday on Facebook. His family is attempting to cope with the immense loss, but through their GoFundMe, which has raised almost $90,000, they have found some solace towards recovery.

The 17-year-old driver cooperated with law enforcement officials, and does not appear that the teen driver will face charges. Rocklin police Capt. Scott Horrillo explains that there is no reason to believe there was any criminal negligence and, therefore, describing it as a tragic accident.

Flowers, candles, and other memorabilia have been left at the scene by members of the community. Multiple toy rubbers ducks were also placed as a tribute at the site where the accident occurred.

Jude Peterson, who was watching with a carpool group after track practice, said that Casey was a hero. “He did something amazing.” His mother, Summer Peterson, said Jude was in tears when he got home that night, but by Monday, he had processed his shock and was filled with admiration for Rivara which Jude said “He did the right thing. He wanted to help because there were ducks in the road, and he didn’t want anyone to hit the ducks.”

Despite losing a husband and father, family and friends are coming together by paying tribute to Casey Rivara as his stories spread, even reaching international news. As his wife says, they are compiling the tributes in a book that their children can read whenever they miss him.