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Richard Swanson, shown here holding a One World Futbol under his arm before leaving Seattle, died Tuesday morning after being struck by a truck along U.S. 101. He had been trying to walk to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup.

(Breakaway Brazil)

NEWPORT -- Richard Swanson's journey was supposed to last a year – a trek of 10,000 miles through 11 countries from Seattle to Brazil, all while dribbling a blue soccer ball for charity.

But just two weeks into an odyssey that was to take him down the west coasts of North, Central and South America, Swanson

by a pickup Tuesday morning in Lincoln City.

Shortly after shooting a video of himself on the beach, talking about the trip, Swanson was hit while walking south along the shoulder of U.S. 101.

Lincoln City Police Lt. Jerry Palmer said a blue soccer ball like the one Swanson was playing with in the video was found with him.

The ball is the type made by

and is designed to be "virtually indestructible," according to the manufacturer's website. It can be used on fields where a normal ball might be punctured.

In the video Swanson

, he talks about how excited he is to be making the trip:

"Very exciting moment today," he says. "Going to be on the ocean for thousands of miles. This is my first taste of it and I'm very excited about it."

The video ends with Swanson kicking the ball into the surf.

Palmer said Swanson was near the south city limits around 10 a.m. when struck from behind by a 1995 Nissan pickup being driven by Scott Van Hiatt, 52, of Neskowin. Palmer said Hiatt remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.

Swanson was taken to Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital where he died, Palmer said.

Swanson, who

left Seattle May 1. He passed through Portland late last week, where he visited one of his two sons, Devin Swanson.

He hoped to reach San Paulo, Brazil, for the 2014 World Cup. A map with a soccer ball allowed visitors to follow his route: His slogan, emblazoned on a T-shirt was "One man, One ball, 10,000 miles."

The journey was part adventure, part fundraiser for the One World Futbol Project. For every ball purchased, another is given to a youth in disadvantaged communities, such as refugee camps, war zones, disaster areas and inner cities, according to the website.

In

, Swanson says he had worked as private investigator and a graphic designer before being laid off last year. After taking time to consider what he wanted to do, he says he hit on the idea of going to the World Cup in Brazil.

A friend then told him about the One World Futbol Project and he decided to dribble the ball all the way to help raise money for the project

"He was really making great connections along the way, sleeping on people's couches," said Melissa Heitkamp, a Seattle friend and photographer who was part of the Breakaway Brazil team supporting Swanson's journey. "We are all still in shock."

In one of his Facebook posts, Swanson said he got lost and wound up walking on Interstate 5 north of Portland: "State patrol was cool and set me back on track with no ticket."

Another post shows a picture of a snake in the grass: "Almost stepped on this little guy. Lucky I have cat-like reflexes."

Devin Swanson posted a message on his father's Facebook page Tuesday: "One day ... I will continue your journey in your name!"

Further south on the Oregon Coast, Bandon City councilor Mike Claassen had made plans to help Swanson celebrate his 43rd birthday, which would have been May 19.

"Mike was putting together a little party for his birthday since we knew he was coming this way," Bandon city manager Matt Winkel said. "He was certainly disheartened to hear the news."

-- Stuart Tomlinson and Lori Tobias