[ad_1]
A 13-year-old boy died after pushing his sister out of the way of a hit-and-run driver who then struck him and fled the scene.
Tyler Phillips, of Medford, New York, was hit by a gray SUV a day after celebrating his birthday when he rushed in to save his sister, Krystal Randolph, who is also 13, NBC4 reports.
The two, who have been living in a shelter for a year, were walking home on a bike lane in Coram at around 7:30pm on October 12 when the car hit Tyler. He died three days later due to his severe injuries.
‘They tried to resuscitate him and he was gone for 30 minutes,’ Desari Mac, Tyler’s mother told NBC of the frantic moments first responders attempted to save her son.
‘His vertebrate and his skull got separated, and he’s got no brain function,’ she added, describing his condition at Stony Brook University Hospital. ‘He’s gone.’
Tyler (pictured holding blue bucket) and his sister (right, holding purple bucket) have been living in a shelter for the past year. They were on their way home when the car approached them from behind
Tyler Phillips (above), 13, of Medford, New York, was struck by a gray SUV after pushing his sister out of the way
Tyler was walking to the shelter where he lives with his sister, Krystal Randolph (left), on October 12 when he was hit by what police believe to be a dark-colored Chevrolet Equinox made between 2005 and 2009
Desari Mac, Tyler’s mother, confirmed that he died in the hospital three days later after the crash severed his spine and skill
Krystal, who only suffered minor injuries, also mourned the loss of her brother and described him as her hero.
‘He saved my life,’ she told the local outlet. ‘He was a hero. He will always be a hero.’
The heartbroken sister said her brother was sent flying by the impact of the car, which police believe to be a dark-colored Chevrolet Equinox made between 2005 and 2009.
Officials said the hit-and-run vehicle has damaged headlights and front passenger mirror, as well as a broken sideview front passenger mirror.
The police are currently offering up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest of the driver.
Police are offering a $5,000 reward for information on the hit-and-run driver
The siblings were reportedly playing at a Park in Coram, New York, before the incident
Tyler’s family described him as a boy who loved playing sports and listening to music
Tyler and Krystal attended eighth grade together at William Paca Middle School in the William Floyd school district.
Administrators offered their condolences in a note to the community following the incident, which read: ‘While we are thankful that Krystal is expected to survive, we are heartbroken to learn of Tyler’s passing.’
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with Tyler’s family and friends at this time.’
The Longwood Central School District, where Tyler and Krystal previously attended West Middle Island Elementary School, also sent a note of condolence.
‘Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tyler and Krystal’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time,’ the district said in a statement.
A funeral for Tyler will be held on Friday at the Mangano Family Funeral Home in Middle Island.
His family described him as boy who loved playing football and basketball. They said that when he wasn’t playing sports, he was busy creating new dances and enjoying freestyle music.
Along with his mother and sister, Tyler was survived by his father, Joseph Phillips, and three other siblings – Rebecca, Matthew and Michael.
[ad_2]
Source link
