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Mayor Honors Fallen City Worker With Plaque At City Hall

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The mayor and other city leaders honor a longtime employee killed earlier this year in a tragic crash in front of City Hall.

Monique Griego has more on the memorial for Matt Hersl.

Hersl worked for the city for nearly 30 years. On Friday, he was honored with a permanent place downtown.

Under gray skies in front of the building he worked at for nearly 30 years, family and friends of Matt Hersl gathered for a special ceremony in his honor.

"On a rainy day. But it's an extremely happy day to have a memorial for our brother," said Stephen Hersl.

In April, Hersl, a longtime city employee, was struck and killed by a speeding car as he walked home from City Hall. On Friday, just feet away from where the accident happened, the mayor joined his loved ones to unveil a plaque dedicated to his memory.

"He was family. He was party of the Baltimore City family," Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said.

Everyone who knew Hersl talks about his love for Baltimore, his passion for the Orioles and his dedication to improving the Little Italy community he lived in.

"We all wanted to make sure that he knows that Little Italy is still with him and that he remains in our hearts," said Mel Stachura, friend.

Investigators identified the driver of the car as Johnny Johnson. Police say he was speeding at upwards of 100 miles per hour when he slammed into Hersl, who was crossing the street.

Johnson, 43, is charged with vehicular homicide and DUI, among other things.

"The family and I know that due process will take care of itself," said Stephen Hersl.

For Hersl's brother, the plaque turns what was a tragic crash site into a place of remembrance and love for a man taken too soon.

"Knowing other people will see this memorial and keep Matt's memory alive. And what a beautiful person he was," he said.

The homicide case against Johnson, the driver of the car, is ongoing.

The Orioles, Hersl's beloved team, also honored him at a game in April.

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