Richard Swanson dies after being hit by truck while dribbling soccer ball from Seattle to Brazil
Richard Swanson was raising money for One World Futbol, which donates durable soccer balls to developing countries.
Richard Swanson set out on the trip of a lifetime earlier this month – dribbling a soccer ball to Brazil to raise money for a charity.
But on Tuesday morning, less than two weeks into his adventure, the 42-year-old was struck and killed by a truck in Lincoln City in Oregon.
His soccer ball was found nearby.
A statement on Swanson’s Facebook page announced his untimely death: “It is with a heavy heart to notify you that Richard Swanson passed on this morning. His team, family, friends, and loved ones will miss him and love him dearly. You made it to Brazil in our hearts, Richard.”
Swanson left Seattle on May 1 and planned to arrive in Sao Paolo in time for the first game of the 2014 World Cup.
He was raising money for One World Futbol, which donates durable soccer balls to developing countries, and planned to travel through 11 countries, including Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia and El Salvador.
"It will be a trip of a lifetime where I will push myself further then I ever thought possible," he wrote on his website.
Swanson was struck about 10 a.m. as he walked along U.S. Highway 101 near the outskirts of Lincoln City, the Associated Press reported. The driver has not been charged.
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