Heroic California father is killed by car just moments after helping a family of ducks cross the road while his helpless children watched
- The unnamed man was hit by a 17-year-old travelling down Stanford Ranch Boulevard in Rocklin
- The father’s last act of kindness was witnessed by his children and another family
- Police say the investigation is ongoing but no arrests have been made
A California father has been killed by a car after heroically assisting a family of ducks across a busy California highway.
The as yet unnamed man parked his car by the side of the road and ushered the mother and her family of ducklings across the intersection of Park Drive and Stanford Ranch Boulevard in Rocklin, California on Friday evening.
Tragically the man was hit by a 17-year-old female driver and killed as his helpless children watched on from the family car.
The sweet act of kindness was captured by 12-year-old William Wimsatt, the child of another driver.
Speaking to 3KCRA William said: ‘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.’
The father’s heroic act was caught on camera by 12-year-old William Wimsatt
The collision took place at the intersection of Park Drive and Stanford Ranch Boulevard in Rocklin, California
Police are still investigating the incident and no arrests have yet been made
The Wimsatt family thanked the man for his good deed, but moments later a car travelling eastbound on Stanford Ranch Boulevard struck and killed the good Samaritan.
‘All I remember is the sound and then him flying across the intersection,’ he 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,’ William said.
After the incident William’s mother got out of her car and comforted the man’s children who were sitting in the man’s parked car, and unfortunately witnessed the collision.
In the photographs the man, wearing a burgundy t-shirt, black shorts and trainers can be seen moving the ducks to safety.
Another woman, Summer Peterson, said her children also saw the scene unfold.
‘They were saying, ‘Oh, it’s so cute. It’s so nice of him.’ And then all of a sudden he was hit by a car,’ she told CBS 13.
Peterson has created a temporary memorial at the site of the crash, with locals leaving flowers, and her son brought rubber ducks in tribute to the man’s last act of kindness.
Rocklin Police said the 17-year-old was travelling east down Stanford Ranch Boulevard
Summer Peterson’s son brought flowers and rubber duckies to honor the man killed
‘My son wanted to bring rubber duckies and flowers to this gentlemen who lost his life, he was a father.’
Rocklin Police said the 17-year-old female driver remained at the scene after the accident and is cooperating fully with the investigation.
In a statement the police department said: ‘The driver remained at the scene of the collision.
‘Emergency first responders arrived to assist, however the man died at the scene. The Major Accident Investigation Team was activated and responded to the area.
‘No arrest was made, and the incident is still under investigation’ they added.
‘We would like to extend our condolences to all involved in this tragic event.’
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Rocklin Police Department.
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