World Cup Security Worker Aaron Avery Struck and Killed Near SoFi Stadium, Honored Through Organ Donation

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — A 22-year-old man who had recently begun working security at SoFi Stadium in California ahead of the World Cup has died after being hit by a driver while walking home, according to his family.

Aaron Avery was struck shortly before 10:30 p.m. Monday and died the next day.

The crash happened on Avery’s second day on the job as a security officer.

“I’m crushed because this was the last thing we would have ever thought would happen,” said Norma Quinn, Avery’s aunt. “He was just so young … to know that he had to endure that.”

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On Saturday, Avery’s loved ones came together at OneLegacy in Azusa for an honor walk as his organs were donated. Employees stood along the hallway while doctors brought his body to the operating room, giving relatives a final moment to say goodbye.

Avery donated his heart, lungs, liver and kidneys. OneLegacy said the gifts could help save as many as eight people.

“There’s over 100,000 folks across the nation, nearly 19,000 Californians, who are waiting for a life-saving organ,” said Blanca Cohen of OneLegacy. “Unfortunately, all too many folks pass away each day waiting for that gift.”

The demand is particularly urgent for Black patients. Last year, Black Americans accounted for 27% of people on the national transplant waiting list, most of them in need of kidneys, while Black donors represented only 15% of registered donors. Experts say longstanding distrust of the medical system remains one of the barriers preventing more people of color from registering as organ donors.

Avery’s family said they find comfort in knowing his generosity could help 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,” Quinn said. “They’ll have a part of him and maybe he can turn them into gamers. Haha.”

The family said the driver who struck Avery has been detained for possibly driving under the influence. A GoFundMe has been created to help cover his final medical expenses.