A young worker at SoFi Stadium was tragically killed while walking home following the Iran vs New Zealand FIFA World Cup match. It was only his second day on the job.
Aaron Avery, 22, was struck and killed around 10:30 pm on Monday near Van Ness Avenue by a driver suspected of being under the influence, according to his family.
“This is a very devastating moment for my family,” his aunt Norma Quinn told CBS News.
“He was my sister’s baby. It’s very devastating.”
Avery’s family believes the driver was speeding and under the influence of alcohol.
“From what I was told, it was a strong possibility that speed played a part in it, and the guy was under the influence,” Quinn told the outlet.
The driver reportedly claimed he could not see Avery because it was nighttime and Avery was dressed in all black, according to the family.
“You say you didn’t see my brother walking because he had on all black,” Avery’s sister, Monique Yates, said.
“It doesn’t matter what color he had on. That can’t be an excuse for hitting someone.”
Avery was taken to the hospital in critical condition with a traumatic brain injury, as noted on a GoFundMe page.
The family, who is dealing with substantial expenses for end-of-life care, medical bills, and funeral costs, has raised over $5,000 so far.
He was placed on life support and was pronounced dead the next day.
Avery donated his heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys, potentially saving up to eight lives, according to ABC 7.
The family stated that the driver was arrested and they hope he is held accountable for his actions.
“I just hope my nephew gets justice,” Quinn told CBS.
