13-Year-Old Dies Hero Saving Sister from Oncoming SUV
A Medford, New York teen tragically passed away after saving his sister from a hit-and-run by an SUV. Tyler Phillips died a few days after his 13th birthday, as reported by Faithwire.
The accident occurred on October 12 around 7:30 pm when Tyler and his sister Krystal Randolph, also 13, were on their way to the shelter they called home for the past year, according to Daily Mail.
Steffani Campbell, a friend of the family, witnessed the incident. The car “hit [Krystal] first and I guess [Tyler] went to jump and grab her, and it just took him,” she told WNBC, and that she “watched him fly to the middle of the street” before calling the ambulance and administering CPR, according to People.
Tyler and Krystal were both transported to Stony Brook University Hospital.
“They tried to resuscitate him and he was gone for 30 minutes,” Phillips’ mom, Desari Mac, told WNBC. “His vertebrate and his skull got separated, and he’s got no brain function. … He’s gone.”
Krystal was treated for a sprained arm. She remembers her brother as a hero.
“He saved my life,” Krystal told WNBC. “He was a hero,” his mother added. “He will always be a hero.”
William Paca Middle School in Mastic Beach, New York, where both teens attend as 8th graders, released the following statement according to Faithwire: “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.”
A GoFundMe page was set to assist the family in raising money for Tyler’s funeral expenses, where Good Samaritans donated over $15,000.
It was reported that the SUV that struck the children was a dark colored Chevrolet Equinox. Police are offering a $5,000 reward for any information regarding the driver of the hit-and-run.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Tyler’s family during this difficult time.
