A much-loved young man killed by a suspected drunk driver had been heading home after working a new security job at a World Cup match in California.
Aaron Avery, 22, had just completed his second shift at SoFi Stadium on June 15, where Iran and New Zealand were playing, when his family said he was hit by a speeding white Tesla at about 10.30pm in Los Angeles.
After the impact, he was dragged roughly half a block by the vehicle, according to relatives. His aunt, Norm Quinn, told KTLA 5 that Avery “was almost to the curb when he was struck.”
Family members said the driver, whose name has not been released, stayed at the crash scene and was taken into custody there.
Avery, remembered by loved ones as a cherished son and brother, suffered several life-threatening injuries, including severe trauma to his brain, his family said.
He was put on life support but succumbed to his injuries at the hospital the next day.
His grieving sister, Monique Yates, told CBS News she had been informed that the driver claimed he did not see Avery before striking him that night.
“You say you didn’t see my brother walking because he had on all black,” Yates told the outlet. “It don’t matter what color he had on. That can’t be an excuse on why you hit somebody.”
Aaron Avery, 22, was killed by a suspected drunk driver while walking home from his shift as a security guard at SoFi Stadium during the World Cup game on June 15 in California
The driver, who has not been identified, remained at the scene where he was arrested, his family said
Quinn added: ‘From what I was told, it was a strong possibility that speed played a part in it, and the guy was under the influence.’
Avery was an organ donor and had his organs harvested on Saturday, his heartbroken aunt revealed.
‘He will be donating his lungs, his heart, his kidneys, his spleen and his liver. He gets to save another life,’ Quinn said.
Blanca Cohen with OneLegacy, a non-profit organization that supports organ, tissue and eye donations, said that Avery could potentially save eight lives.
‘There’s over 100,000 folks across the nation, nearly 19,000 Californians, who are waiting for a life-saving organ,’ Cohen told ABC 7.
‘Unfortunately, all too many folks pass away each day waiting for that gift.’
Despite losing her nephew, Quinn said she is happy to hear that he will live on through others.
‘I know this is our final goodbye but at the same time, I know that something good is going to come out of it. They’ll have a part of him and maybe he can turn them into gamers. Haha,’ she told ABC 7.
Avery was placed on life support, but died from his injuries the following day at the hospital after suffering several injuries, including severe brain trauma
Avery was an organ donor and had his organs harvested on Saturday, his heartbroken aunt, Norma Quinn, revealed
Avery had just wrapped up his security shift at SoFi Stadium following the World Cup match between Iran and New Zealand
As the family continued to come to terms with his sudden death, Quinn said she just hopes the driver is held accountable for his actions.
‘This is a very devastating moment for my family. He was my sister’s baby. It’s very devastating,’ she said.
Quinn continued: ‘I just hope my nephew gets justice. He has to take responsibility for his actions. He doesn’t understand what he’s done to my family.’
A GoFundMe page has since been launched to help the grieving family during this challenging time.
A GoFundMe page has since been launched to help the grieving family during this challenging time
Avery’s lungs, heart, kidneys, spleen and his liver were donated after his death. His devastated family watched as he was wheeled away to donate his organs
‘Aaron was a caring and dedicated son who loved helping his community. His involvement with the World Cup was a source of pride for him and his family,’ the fundraiser read.
As of Monday morning, more than $10,000 has been raised to support them.
The Daily Mail contacted the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) for comment.
