Last week, a tragic incident occurred in Rocklin, California, where a Northern California man killed by a car helping ducks crossing the street. Witnesses described the heart-wrenching event, stating that the man was cheered on by onlookers as he selflessly attempted to help the ducks.
The incident took place on Thursday night in Rocklin, located approximately 22 miles northeast of Sacramento. According to the Rocklin Police Department, the man had parked his vehicle and was reportedly trying to guide the ducklings away from the intersection.
Tragically, a 17-year-old driver struck the man while he was in the roadway. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but unfortunately, the man could not be saved and he passed away on-site, as confirmed by the police. The man has not been publicly identified.
man killed by a car helping ducks crossing the street
One witness, 12-year-old William Wimsatt, recounted the man’s kind actions, mentioning how he was actively trying to help the ducks crossing the street. Wimsatt stated that the man received applause from those around as he shooed the ducks away.
Authorities are currently investigating the incident, and the driver involved is cooperating with the investigation. No arrests have been made thus far. The intersection remained closed until early Friday morning following the crash.
Wimsatt, who captured photographs of the man assisting the ducks, shared that the man helped the ducklings climb up onto the curb, as they were struggling to do so themselves. Afterward, the man walked in front of Wimsatt’s car. He also noted that despite the green light, no cars were moving through the intersection. Once the ducks had safely crossed the road, applause erupted from the onlookers in the area. Wimsatt described the suddenness of the accident, as the car seemed to appear out of nowhere, resulting in the tragic collision with the man.
“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.
The New York Post reported that Wimsatt’s mother comforted the man’s children, who were present in his car, after the accident. In memory of the man’s selfless act, a makeshift memorial consisting of rubber ducks and flowers was set up at the intersection.
