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Living December 14, 2020

Gas station cashier gets new car after Lyft driver's viral TikTok

WATCH: Gas station cashier gets a new car after his story goes viral Tik Tok

A Louisiana man will likely never have to walk or take a rideshare vehicle to work again, thanks to a Lyft driver's viral video.

David Daniels, a 29-year-old part-time Lyft driver, made a plea on TikTok to help get cashier Ed Hays Jr., 28, into his own vehicle.

"I was never expecting all of this. I give him all credit for everything he's doing," Hays told "Good Morning America" of Daniels. "He's like a saint."

In November, Hays requested a Lyft from his home in Shreveport, Louisiana, so he could work the night shift at his gas station job in in Bossier City. Daniels answered Hays' request on the ridesharing app.

PHOTO: Edward (Ed) Hays Jr. 28, stands in front of his car, a 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis, at at SBC Autos in Bossier City, Louisiana.
David Daniels
Edward (Ed) Hays Jr. 28, stands in front of his car, a 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis, at at SBC Autos in Bossier City, Louisiana.

"It was about 6 o'clock at night and it was pouring rain," Daniels told "GMA." "On rainy days, people are normally in a foul mood. [Hays] came in [my car] ... he was so excited. I asked, 'How's your night going?' He said, 'It couldn't be better. I just found out I got promoted at my job to lead cashier.'"

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Daniels said that Hays told him he typically walks to work -- a distance of approximately 11 miles roundtrip.

@rideshare_chronicles

One of my most inspiring moments as a Lyft driver. ##lyft ##uberdriver ##fyp ##inspiring

♬ original sound - Captain

"I said, 'Are you kidding me? You walk that far everyday?'" Daniels recalled. "So after walking six miles to work the graveyard shirt, he was walking six miles back to his house."

Daniels, who also works in sales, said he was laid off for some time amid the COVID-19 pandemic and was encouraged by Hays' positive attitude and strong work ethic.

PHOTO: David Daniels, a 29-year-old part-time Lyft driver in Louisiana, made a plea on TikTok to help get cashier Edward (Ed) Hays Jr. 28, into his own vehicle.
David Daniels
David Daniels, a 29-year-old part-time Lyft driver, made a plea on TikTok to help get cashier Edward (Ed) Hays Jr. 28, into his own vehicle. In November, Hays requested a Lyft from his home in Shreveport, Louisiana, to go work the night shift at his gas station job in in Bossier City. Daniels answered Hays' requested on the ridesharing app.

So he posted a video to his TikTok page sharing the story of how he met Hays. Within hours, the footage had been viewed over 100,000 times.

"We got to get on this man's level," Daniels said in the video.

Daniels quickly launched a GoFundMe titled "Car for Ed" where he's raised over $6,800 in donations. He then called his friends Beau Witkowski and Derrick Thomas at SBC Autos in Bossier City. They are giving Hays a 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis.

@rideshare_chronicles

Meet Ed. One of the most humble humans I know. GoFundMe link is in my Bio. ##fyp

♬ original sound - Captain
MORE: Uber driver earns college degree thanks to nearly $700 in help from passenger

Thomas told "GMA" the car is dependable and had one previous owner.

"We love the great news with everything our country is going through with COVID-19 and to be able to fill a need here, why wouldn't we jump on that and make an impact on our community where we can?" Thomas said.

@rideshare_chronicles

♬ original sound - Captain

Witkowski chimed in, saying he and his colleagues wanted to assist Hays.

"For Ed to get up every morning, rain, sleet or shine, put a smile on ... we wanted to help to him get to where he needed to be," Witkowski added.

PHOTO: From left to right is Derrick Thomas, Whitney Thomas, Jennifer Witkowski, Beau Witkowski.  All of them are Owners of SBC Autos, LLC in Bossier City, Louisiana.
David Daniels
From left to right is Derrick Thomas, Whitney Thomas, Jennifer Witkowski, Beau Witkowski.  All of them are Owners of SBC Autos, LLC in Bossier City, Louisiana.

Hays, who also works several days a week prepping food at a restaurant, said he loves both of his jobs due to the interesting people he encounters.

Hays said his message to those reading his story is to "never give up."

"Don't let anything deter you from your goals," he said. "You can always push through."

PHOTO: Gas station cashier Edward Hays Jr., 28, left, shakes the hand of David Daniels, 29, right, the man who crowdfunded thousands of dollars so Hays could have his own car to drive to his job, in Bossier City, Louisiana.
David Daniels
Gas station cashier Edward Hays Jr., 28, left, shakes the hand of David Daniels, 29, right, the man who crowdfunded thousands of dollars so Hays could have his own car to drive to his job, in Bossier City, Louisiana.

Hays said he's looking forward to taking his young son for a ride in his car and working toward his dream of owning a restaurant.

Daniels said he hopes to help more people like Hays.