The pistol-toting 'Angel of Mercy' that saved a driver from an angry Detroit mob

[lostinblue 1,989]

The pistol-toting 'Angel of Mercy' that saved a driver from an angry Detroit mob

Posted: Apr 08, 2014 6:25 PM EST Updated: Apr 08, 2014 6:51 PM EST

By The Americans with Charlie LeDuff - email

Deborah Hughes tells her story in this edition of The Americans with Charlie LeDuff.

DETROIT (WJBK) - Almost one week has passed since the brutal attack of a driver in Detroit who stopped to help a little boy he had accidentally just hit with his car.

In a bankrupt city with too few police, authorities are working fast to bring justice. Three people have been charged with assault - two adults and one teenager. A second teenager is in custody awaiting charges.

Police are still seeking several others to answer for the crime the city's mayor has called "senseless".

As many as 10 - 12 people are believed to have participated in the beating while dozens of others stood by and watched - saying nothing, doing nothing.

Except one.

Deborah Hughes lives across the street. The retired nurse may have saved the life of that driver, Steve Utash. She broke up the angry mob that was beating him. Detroit Police Chief James Craig knocked on the woman's door and personally called her a "Detroit hero."

She tells her story in this edition of The Americans with Charlie LeDuff. Watch the full story in the video player above.

Authorities are broadening the spectrum of the investigation, considering charging the suspects with a hate crime.

Dontae Hutson, who lives in the area, says rage - not race - motivated the attack.

Utash is white and is from Clinton Township, which is about 25 miles northeast of Detroit. He is still in critical condition in a medically induced coma.

The 10-year-old boy Utash hit is said to have stepped off the curb in front of his car. He has been treated for a non life-threatening leg injury.

Read more: http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/25196717/the-pistol-toting-angel-of-mercy-that-saved-a-driver-from-an-angry-detroit-mob#ixzz2yOwd6wvY

As many as 10 - 12 people are believed to have participated in the beating while dozens of others stood by and watched - saying nothing, doing nothing.

Except one.

Deborah Hughes rage - not race - motivated the attack.... Man beat so bad they cannot recognize him . The boy has a slight leg injury.

[B_J 2,752]

Gun, or no gun, that is one brave lady.

Edited April 9, 2014 by B_J

[Danno 1,228]

Gun, or no gun, that is one brave lady.

NO kidding, everyone is tuff-nuts around the water cooler, in real life to interject yourself into a mob action take a pair.

When you watch the video and read the reports, it would appear near strangers converged on the driver, and seemingly all were driven by something to beat this man to death, over a boy with a hurt leg.

I doubt it was the accident which motivated them... the accident was just the fuse.