As he embarked on this act of goodwill, bystanders gathered, captivated by the scene, capturing photographs of the father of two helping the vulnerable creatures find their way to safety. However, within moments, an unfortunate twist of fate unfolded when a teenage driver struck Casey with their vehicle, resulting in his untimely demise.
From KCRA:
"He got out of the car and was shooing the ducks and everyone was clapping because he was being really nice," William said.
William snapped pictures of the rescue with his cellphone as the man and ducks walked in front of their car. He said no one moved through the intersection, even staying through green lights.
"He helped them get up over the curb because all the little baby duckies were having trouble and then he walked in front of our car," said William.
After the ducks were saved, William and others in the area applauded the man's actions.
"My mom rolled down the window and said, 'Good job, good job,' and I said, 'Good job' to him too and then right after that, the second after that," he said the car hit him.
William said the car seemed to come out of nowhere.
"I didn't see the car actually hit him. All I remember is the sound and then him flying across the intersection," he said. "His shoes and one of his socks were right in front of our car."
William says fortunately his little sister was in the backseat focusing on the ducks.
They stayed home from school on Friday with their mom, all of them still upset from the traumatic turn of events. His mother even comforted the man's children who were in his car and asking for their father.
William wants people to remember the kind man who saved the ducks before he died. He said he didn't deserve this.
"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," he said.
This poor family...
One cannot help but contemplate the state of mind of the teenage driver involved. It seems highly likely that they were either deeply distracted by something, or worse yet, impaired by drugs or alcohol. Perhaps it could even be a distressing combination of both factors.
Regardless, this incident is undeniably marked by immense tragedy, and it deeply saddens us to imagine the pain and sorrow that this family must be enduring. Our hearts go out to them during this incredibly difficult time.
