PHOENIX — He wore an orange ambassador shirt for 12 years, but Hans Hughes' kindness went beyond his job.
He loved Phoenix. He was a longtime Garfield resident who ran the community garden.
“He doesn’t just help people when he’s on the job, he’s constantly helping people when he’s off the clock,” said Downtown Phoenix Inc Chief Marketing Officer R.J. Price.
Police said Hans was struck by a drunk driver while riding his bicycle home from work on Aug. 20, leaving him in critical care at Banner University Medical Center Phoenix.
He sustained injuries to his head, face, and chest and was being kept under sedation to help his body rest and settle down.
“You don’t want to hear this has happened to anybody. To hear when it was Hans, hit me pretty hard. It hit everybody really hard,” said Price.
On Tuesday, Hughes' family announced he had died after his health took a rapid decline earlier in the week. Information about a memorial service will be announced soon.
Phoenix Police said a drunk driver hit Hughes on the night of Aug. 20 at the intersection of 1st Street and Fillmore Street. The driver of the vehicle was issued citations for DUI.
Now friends are raising money through a GoFundMe account to help Hughes' family out with expenses.
In a statement released Wednesday, Downtown Phoenix said the city had lost a "superhero" and encouraged Phoenix residents to share their memories of Hughes.
"We love you so much Hans and we know the entire community does too," the organization wrote in a statement.
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