{"id":754022,"date":"2026-07-10T05:06:18","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T05:06:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/754022\/"},"modified":"2026-07-10T05:06:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T05:06:18","slug":"former-sacramento-state-football-star-struck-and-killed-by-vehicle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/754022\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Sacramento State football star struck and killed by vehicle"},"content":{"rendered":"

The family of a former Sacramento State University football star has been devastated after the 25-year-old was fatally struck by a car<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ivan Garza was crossing the road in the small town of Delano, California around 4 a.m. Wednesday when he was hit by a female driver, according to the statement from the Delano Police Department.<\/p>\n

Delano is in the Central Valley, about 30 miles north of Bakersfield.<\/p>\n

The family of former Sacramento State football star Ivan Garza is devastated after he was fatally struck by a car. GoFundMe<\/p>\n

Garza, 25, was killed in the small town of Delano Wednesday. GoFundMe<\/p>\n

Police said the woman stayed on scene with the young man until emergency personnel and cops arrived. Garza was transported to the hospital where he later died of his injuries.<\/p>\n

In a heartbreaking tribute, the family described the proud Delano native as a person with a huge heart both on the football field and off.<\/p>\n

\u201cIvan will be remembered for the person he was\u2014a gentle giant with a kind heart, an infectious smile, and a genuine love for his family, friends, teammates, and everyone fortunate enough to know him,\u201d a\u00a0 GoFundMe<\/a> read.<\/p>\n

Garza was transported to the hospital where he later died of his injuries. GoFundMe<\/p>\n

Garza was described as a proud Delano native who previously played for the Sacramento State Hornets<\/a> as an offensive lineman after graduating from Robert F. Kennedy High School.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe helped lead Kennedy High School to a Central Section Championship and later earned All-Big Sky honors at Sacramento State,\u201d the tribute read.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis sudden passing has left his mother, Sandra, and their entire family heartbroken.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo family is ever prepared for a loss like this, and in addition to the overwhelming grief they are carrying, they are now faced with unexpected funeral expenses and the financial challenges that come with such a devastating tragedy,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n

In a heartbreaking tribute, the family described Garza as a person with a huge heart both on the football field and off. GoFundMe<\/p>\n

Garza was a proud Delano native who previously played for Sacramento State Hornets as an offensive lineman. GoFundMe<\/p>\n

Garza\u2019s high school also reacted to the tragic news, sharing a sweet photo of him and touching tribute on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Thunderbird Family lost a young man too soon.\u00a0Our condolences go out to the Family of Ivan Garza,\u201d the post read.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was a success story out of RFK and Delano as a whole. He showed that big things can come from small places.\u00a0 His heart was as huge as his size. Rest easy young man, you are at peace.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis news breaks my heart. I had the great privilege to meet Ivan as a new Kinder student at Albany Park,\u201d one person wrote in the comments.<\/p>\n

Garza\u2019s cousin also shared kind words in a post on social media<\/a>, writing that Ivan was the \u201clight in every room\u201d he walked into, with the \u201cbiggest, kindest hearts\u201d she ever knew.<\/p>\n

The cause of the fatal crash is under investigation.<\/p>\n

It has not yet been determined whether drugs or alcohol were factors in the collision, per police.<\/p>\n

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