Rocklin, California –
Witnesses said a man helping a family of ducks cross a road died last week after being hit by a car.
Police said the accident occurred at Stanford Ranch Road and Park Drive shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday. Police said the 17-year-old driver remained at the scene and was cooperating.
Michelle Pandor of KCRA 3 spoke to witness William, 12, with permission from his mother, who said the man got out of the car to help a family of ducks out of traffic.
“He got out of the car and he was yelling at the ducks and everyone was cheering because he was really cute,” said William.
William took pictures of the rescue with his mobile phone as the man and the ducks drove by from their car. He said no one moved through the intersection, even staying through the green lights.
“He helped them up to the sidewalk because all the ducklings were having trouble, and then he walked by our car,” said William.
After the ducks are rescued, William and others in the area applaud the man’s actions.
“My mom opened the window and said, ‘Good job, good job,’ and I said, ‘Good job,’ and right after that the car hit him.
William said the car seemed to come out of nowhere.
“I didn’t see the car hit him. All I remember is the noise and then it went through the intersection.” His shoes and one of his socks were right in front of our car. »
William says luckily his little sister was in the back seat focusing on the ducks.
They stayed home after school on Friday with their mother, still distraught at the shocking turn of events. His mother even saw the man’s children who were in his car asking about their father.
William wants people to remember the good man who saved the ducks before he died. He said he didn’t deserve this.
“He’s the only person who got out of the car and tried to help them, and he’s probably the nicest person in the whole area,” he said.
Another 12-year-old boy witnessed the tragedy. He returns to the intersection with roses and several rubber ducks.
“You have to honor him because he was really nice and then something horrible happened to him,” Judd said. “He was a wonderful person.”
Police are still investigating the cause of death. The driver has not been arrested or arrested.
