Beloved coffee shop employee hit and killed in Oklahoma City

The unique story has been up to date to raised replicate the disabilities John Hayes had in addition to a misspelling.

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – A beloved Oklahoma City coffee shop employee was tragically hit and killed early Monday morning in an auto-pedestrian accident on town’s northwest facet. 

KFOR has featured John Hayes a number of instances on KFOR’s In Your Corner section after a person he labored with and trusted conned him out of practically $30,000 below the guise of a catering joint-venture. The suspect, Ronald Taylor, was charged with a felony. 

This week, Hayes was struck by a minivan whereas strolling close to Memorial and Eastern. Now, his associates and coworkers are remembering the legacy he left behind.

“Loyal is probably his defining hallmark,” stated Tim Herbel, govt director of Not Your Average Joe. “If he was your friend, he was your friend for life, and he would take a bullet for you.”

Hayes’ story is one stuffed with many struggles and tragedies.

He was born with a number of disabilities. Hayes’ Hemifacial Microsomia led him to lose sight in one eye at a younger age. He underwent a number of reconstructive surgical procedures as a young person. 

Hayes met Herbel greater than three a long time in the past, the pair rapidly changing into inseparable. 

Tim helped John land a job at Not Your Average Joe – a non-profit coffee shop that employs individuals with mental and developmental disabilities.

“John’s legally blind; he’s legally deaf,” stated Herbel. “But we tell everybody he’s legally funny because he has this joke, ‘You want me to bake your cake but not decorate it,’ and that’s John.”

Hayes’ life wasn’t simple, however he knew tips on how to put a smile on others’ faces.

“People can stare, they can point, laugh all they want,” stated Zach Bolton, who lived with John for eight months. “But John really didn’t care, he beat his own drum, and he knew it.”

John lived a tough knock life. He was hit by a automotive greater than twice. The final time was Monday morning as he walked to his physician’s appointment. 

Officials with the Oklahoma City Police Department say Hayes was strolling throughout Eastern Ave. simply north of one hundred and fortieth when he was struck by a northbound driver.

Later that very same day, Herbel acquired the news. 

“It was a woman on the other line identifying herself with OU E.R. who said that John had been hit while crossing the street,” stated Herbel.

The nurse said that Hayes had inside bleeding and couldn’t be saved.

Hayes’ associates are comforted in understanding he has left behind his emotional trauma and bodily limitations.

“John spent the last 18 months of his life handing over his addictions. It took years and years for him to get to this point, but in late 2020 he submitted to God’s will and entered an intensive therapy program that helped him finally find the strength he needed to break free,” a publish written on Facebook Nate Ison, who has sponsored John in his restoration for the previous ten years. 

He was a helper, a incredible prepare dinner, however most significantly, a good friend.

“John is gone, and my heart stopped because the heart of Not Your Average Joe stopped. John was not your average John,” stated Herbel. “I’m only sad because you didn’t get to meet him.”

If you’d wish to honor John or assist together with his ultimate bills, donations will be made to Not Your Average Joe online or by way of mail at 509 Wilkinson Dr., Moore, OK 73160. Please depart a word in the memo. 

OKCPD says the motive force was cooperative in the investigation and no fees or arrests have been made.