Heinz Schultz, 69, died on Wednesday night after he was struck by a car on Mitchelmore Street in Mount Austin.

Emergency services tried to save him but he died at Wagga Base Hospital after succumbing to his injuries.

In the wake of his death, friends of the Wagga man have shared their tributes.

Tolland resident Mary Douglas considered Heinz a part of her family after they met when she moved to Wagga about 30 years ago.

"It's hard to put into words just how much he meant to my family and me," she said.

"He was always with us. He's a godfather to one of my granddaughters.

"He used to say to us that we were his family."

Ms Douglas said they had seen him less of late, especially due to the pandemic. But, they shared a friendship that did not need constant contact.

She said the news of his passing had hit her hard.

"I hope he is resting in peace. He deserves it," Ms Douglas said.

Ms Douglas's grandson Roland Douglas said Heinz was the type of man who would keep a promise rain, hail or shine.

"If he said he would meet you at 10am, then Heinz would be there," he said.

"He spent some Christmases with us. He would always make a speech at an 18th or a 21st or any birthday.

"He loved to cook and share his German culture with us too. He was a good man."

Mr Douglas said he had many friends in Wagga, and he was always happy to chat with someone new.

He said Heinz was a "straight down the line" type of man.

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Mark Hogan, a licensee of the Turvey Park Hotel, said Heinz had been a regular at the pub for a long time.

"I have been here about 16 months, and he has been a familiar face ever since then," he said.

"He was good to have a yarn with.

"It's a tragic loss to the community. Everyone at the pub will miss him."

Police are investigating the circumstances around Heinz's death.

Emergency services rushed to the scene in Mount Austin about 5.45pm after receiving reports of a man being struck by a vehicle..

Riverina police crime manager Adrian Telfer said the pedestrian was hit by a car near the road's intersection with Bolger Avenue.

Inspector Telfer said officers established a crime scene, and the 31-year-old man who was behind the wheel of the car was taken to the hospital for mandatory alcohol or drug testing.

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