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Irish Independent
10-07-2025
- Irish Independent
‘He was one of a kind' – Donegal father who died after being hit by car in California remembered as ‘an extraordinary man'
Damien O'Brien (35) formerly of Killygordon, Co Donegal, died after he was struck by a car in Huntington Beach, California, in the early hours of Sunday morning. Police and emergency services attended the scene at around 12.45am and a driver of an Audi, a 21-year-old man, was arrested under the suspicion of driving while impaired. Mr O'Brien had been living in America with his wife Michelle and their two young children, Oscar and Luke, with a third baby due in September. Mr O'Brien went to America over a decade ago and was heavily involved in GAA, playing with Wild Geese GAA Club in Huntington Beach since 2014. He was a former student at Sligo IT and had played GAA for the college team. Mr O'Brien, who was a chartered surveyor, worked as Vice President of Operations at T.M. Grady Builders. A GoFundMe page has been launched by Mr O'Brien's employers in America and has raised over $93,000. The fundraiser, set up by Tim Grady, reads: 'It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the sudden passing of our Vice President of Operations, Damien O'Brien, in a tragic accident on Sunday, July 6. 'Damien was an extraordinary man, a leader, and a beloved member of our T.M. Grady Builder family, known for his dedication, warmth, wisdom, and professionalism. 'His contributions to our projects and his genuine care for our clients left a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of working with him. 'Your donation will go to Damien's family to help with monthly bills & any unexpected expenses. 'We can make a difference in Damien's family's life by coming together to support them during this challenging time.' Shane Connolly, from Cars Sales LTD, also paid tribute to Mr O'Brien who previously worked at the Donegal car dealership. 'We are devastated of the tragic passing of Damien and heartbroken for Michelle, Oscar, Luke, the O'Brien and O' Connor Families,' he said. 'Damien worked at Shane Connolly Car Sales before he headed off to America in 2013. 'He helped us out so much at the start setting up the business. 'Damien could turn his hand to anything and worked plenty of late nights. He was one of a kind.' The United States Gaelic Athletic Association (USGAA) is the administrative body for Gaelic football and hurling in the United States. In a tribute posted online, the body said: 'With heavy hearts, USGAA is extremely saddened to inform you of the tragic passing of LA Geese member, Damien O'Brien. 'Damien was hit and killed by a driver yesterday and he leaves behind his wife, Michelle, and his two young sons, Oscar and Luke, along with baby boy #3 due in September. 'The company that Damien worked for has set up a GoFundMe to help alleviate the financial stress his sudden passing has caused his family. 'Please help support them with current and future bills by kindly donating what you can to his heartbroken family.' A statement from the Huntington Beach Police Department said, 'On Sunday, July 6, 2025, at approximately 12:43 a.m., the Huntington Beach Police Department (HBPD) responded to a traffic collision at the intersection of Atlanta Ave and Delaware St involving a black Audi RS5 and a pedestrian. 'Upon arrival, officers located the driver of the Audi, a 21-year-old male from Orange, uninjured. 'The pedestrian, a 35-year old male from Huntington Beach, was found unconscious in the roadway. 'Paramedics were called to the scene however the pedestrian was later pronounced deceased. 'Impairment is suspected with the driver of the Audi RS5. 'He was taken into custody at the scene without incident. 'Based on the preliminary investigation, the Audi was traveling eastbound on Atlanta Ave and struck the pedestrian east of the intersection of Delaware St.' The GoFundMe page can be found here.
Extra.ie
10-07-2025
- Extra.ie
Irishman killed in horror US crash was about to welcome third child
An Irishman killed in a road traffic incident in the US by a suspected drunk driver was about to welcome his third child. Damien O'Brien had moved to America more than a decade ago from his native Killygordon in Co. Donegal. The 35-year-old was struck by a car in the early hours of Sunday while walking home from a night out with friends near Huntington Beach in California. A 21-year-old driver was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving under the influence. Mr O'Brien and his wife Michelle have two sons, Luke and Oscar, and are expecting a third child in September. Mr O'Brien worked as vice president of operations with TM Grady Builders. Pic: GoFundMe He was a well-known and loved member of the Irish community in the area and was a member of the Wild Geese GAA Club. Mr O'Brien worked as vice president of operations with TM Grady Builders. The company has launched a GoFundMe page, which has received a huge response from the local community. Organiser TM Grady said Mr O'Brien was known for his 'dedication, warmth, wisdom, and professionalism'. Mr Grady added: 'It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the sudden passing of our vice president of operations, Damien O'Brien, in a tragic accident on Sunday, July 6. 'Damien was an extraordinary man, a leader and a beloved member of our TM Grady Builder family, known for his dedication, warmth, wisdom, and professionalism. 'His contributions to our projects and his genuine care for our clients left a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of working with him.' Mr Grady encouraged people to donate to the fund, saying all donations will go to Mr O'Brien's family to help with monthly bills and any unexpected expenses. At the time of writing, more than $100,000 had been raised for Mr O'Brien's family. Pic: USAGAA / Facebook 'We can make a difference in Damien's family's life by coming together to support them during this challenging time,' he added. Friends paid tribute to Mr O'Brien and recalled happier days. Noel Martin said: 'So sorry for this tragic loss. Such a great lad, we have some great laughs at college with Damien, who always brought a smile and a laugh. One of the most genuine people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting.' In a statement, USGAA said: 'With heavy hearts, USGAA is extremely saddened to inform you of the tragic passing of LA Geese member Damien O'Brien. Damien was hit and killed by a drunk driver yesterday. 'The company Damien worked for has set up a GoFundMe to help alleviate the financial stress his sudden passing has caused his family. Please help support them with current and future bills by kindly donating what you can to his heartbroken family.' At the time of writing, more than $100,000 had been raised for Mr O'Brien's family. The crash happened at around 12.45 am on Sunday at the intersection of Atlanta Avenue and Delaware Street, according to the Huntington Beach Police Department. Officers said the pedestrian, identified only as a 35-year-old man from Huntington Beach, was struck by a black Audi RS5. Police arrived and found him unconscious in the street, their news release said. A statement by the police department said: 'Paramedics were called to the scene. However, the pedestrian was later pronounced deceased. Impairment is suspected with the driver of the Audi RS5. He was taken into custody at the scene without incident.' The suspect has not yet been identified. The investigation is ongoing and being handled by the Huntington Beach Police Department Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team.
Irish Post
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Post
Fundraiser to support family of Irishman who died in collision in US raises more than $120,000
A FUNDRAISER to help support the family of an Irishman who died in a collision in the US has raised more than $120,000. Damien O'Brien, 35, died in the incident while walking home in Huntington Beach in California on Sunday. According to a GoFundMe page set up by his employer, Mr O'Brien was married with two young sons, while his wife was pregnant with their third child. Mr O'Brien had worked for TM Grady Builders in California for almost 12 years and was their Vice President of Operations. The fundraiser, set up by company founder Tim Grady, said Mr O'Brien 'left a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of working with him'. "It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the sudden passing of our Vice President of Operations, Damien O'Brien, in a tragic accident on Sunday July 6," it read. "Damien was an extraordinary man, a leader and a beloved member of our TM Grady Builder family, known for his dedication, warmth, wisdom and professionalism. "His contributions to our projects and his genuine care for our clients left a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of working with him." It added that Mr O'Brien is survived by two young sons and his wife, who is expecting their third son in September. "Your donation will go to Damien's family to help with monthly bills and any unexpected expenses," it continued. "We can make a difference in Damien's family's life by coming together to support them during this challenging time. "Thank you from the TM Grady Family on behalf of the O'Brien family." Mr O'Brien played for the Wild Geese Gaelic football club in Huntington Beach. According to the club's Facebook page, Mr O'Brien was born in Co. Tyrone but raised in Co. Donegal and joined the club in 2014. In a statement, USGAA — the administrative body for Gaelic games in the US — said: "With heavy hearts, USGAA is extremely saddened to inform you of the tragic passing of LA Geese member, Damien O'Brien." It added: "The company that Damien worked for has set up a GoFundMe to help alleviate the financial stress his sudden passing has caused his family. "Please help support them with current and future bills by kindly donating what you can to his heartbroken family." In a post on Facebook, the official Donegal GAA page also urged people to support the fundraiser, adding: "Our thoughts and prayers are with The O'Brien & O'Connor families in the difficult days ahead." The Huntington Beach Police Department confirmed that it had been called to a road traffic collision at around 12.43am on Sunday, July 6. "Paramedics were called to the scene however the pedestrian was later pronounced deceased," it said in a statement. "Impairment is suspected with the driver of the Audi RS5." Anyone wishing to support the fundraiser in aid of Mr O'Brien's family can do so by clicking here. See More: California, Donegal, Tyrone
