Both the siblings were returning from a playground when a gray Chevrolet Equinox sped toward them.
A loving brother jumped in front of a speeding SUV to save his sister's life, unfortunately giving up his own. Tyler Phillips and his sister Krystal Randolph, both 13 years old, were walking to their shelter where they were living from Gordon Heights Children's Park in a bike lane on Granny Road at around 7:30 pm when the car struck them from behind. Krystal told NBC 4 that the car had no lights on, even though it was dark outside. Tyler had just celebrated his birthday on the previous day before the tragic accident.
"The car hit her first and I guess he went to jump and grab her, and it just took him," said family friend Steffani Campbell. She said that Krystal saw her brother flying in the middle of the road and called 911. "They told her to give him CPR, and that was it,” the close friend added. The grieving mother, Desari Mack has no words to explain her loss as she speaks of her boy’s injuries, “They tried to revive him and he was gone for 30 minutes. His spine and skull are separated and he has no brain function. He will always be a hero,” she added.
Police believe the suspect drove a dark-colored Chevrolet Equinox manufactured between 2005 and 2009, according to ABC 7. The front passenger headlight and bumper were reportedly damaged, and the passenger side mirror was broken, reported People.
Tyler Phillips and his sister, Krystal Randolph, were heading home around 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12 when police in Long Island say an SUV hit them in a bike lane. Tyler died of his injuries three days later. His sister wasn't severely hurt. https://t.co/rYd6rTGPav
— NBC10 Philadelphia (@NBCPhiladelphia) October 20, 2022
"He saved my life," Krystal said. His mother said that "he was a hero, he will always be a hero." The park where they were returning from is the closest to their shelter according to Pastor Cynthia McCants. "Most of the families don’t have transportation, so they walk to where the closest place is for entertainment," he added.
I'm hopping on a call with @NancyGrace in a few minutes to discuss the tragic hit-and-run case of 13-year-old Tyler Phillips, who was fatally struck by an SUV in Long Island on Oct. 12. No arrests made. @SheriffSuffolk still searching for the driver.https://t.co/Ib3jxRER3L
— Dorian Geiger (@dgeigs) October 26, 2022
As the authorities search for the vehicle which fled the scene, the family begs the culprit to turn themselves in. “You need to come forward. It’s not right,” says the grieving mother, Desari Mac. A family member has since launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist Desira with funeral and burial costs. "My nephew was outgoing, adventurous, feisty yet kind, he loved with his whole heart for the ones he cared for, he was humorous, athletic etc. Tyler was an amazing kid!" the campaign reads. "My nephew Tyler deserves to be laid to rest with a proper farewell," they added. "We are all [saddened] by this sudden loss."
References:
https://people.com/crime/13-year-old-boy-killed-hit-run-after-pushing-sister-out-of-way/
https://www.gofundme.com/f/bm745r-tyler-phillips
Cover Image Source: GoFundMe | Tyler Phillips