A Seattle soccer player on a promotion kick for the One World Futbol Project was hit and killed by a truck as he dribbled his ball on a stretch of roadway on the Oregon Coast, as part of a 10,000 trek to Brazil.
Police said Richard Swanson, 42, was struck by a truck on a road just outside Lincoln City, Ore., and transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. He was declared dead shortly after, The Associated Press reported.
Among his personal effects were materials promoting his website, breakawaybrazil.com, AP said. He was trying to promote a group that donates blue soccer balls to those who live in developing countries, as part of his passion for the game and to help others, a friend said in the AP report.
“We are deeply saddened to learn about Richard’s death,” said Lisa Tarver, with One World Futbol Project, in the AP report. “He was a very inspiring man who in a very short time walked his way into many lives. Our thoughts are with his family.”
The driver of the truck was not charged, AP reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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