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Tyler Phillips: Hero who saved sister and sacrificed himself in hit-and-run dies days after 13th birthday

Phillip's mother, Desari Mac, explained that his vertebrate and skull got separated and he had no brain function

CORAM, NEW YORK: A 13-year-old boy from Medford, Long Island, sacrificed himself in order to save his sister in a horrific hit-and-run. Tyler Phillips pushed his sister, Krystal Randolph, out of the way while they were coming back home from a shelter. Phillips was hit by an SUV and succumbed to his injuries a few days later. The driver who struck Phillips fled the scene and now the police are offering a hefty amount for any information that would lead to an arrest.

The incident took place on October 12 when the siblings were walking home from a bike lane in Coram at around 7:30 pm while returning from the shelter where they had been living for a year. Phillips was hit by a gray SUV and fled the scene. The horrific incident occurred just a day after the boy celebrated his 13th birthday. Phillip's mother, Desari Mac, told NBC4 of the frantic moments and that the first responders attempted to save her son. She said, "They tried to resuscitate him and he was gone for 30 minutes. 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," said Mac. The outlet also reports that his organs are being donated. 

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A family friend, Steffani Campbell, saw the horror unfold and told the outlet, "The car hit her first and I guess he went to jump and grab her, and it just took him. She said she watched him fly to the middle of the street and she called an ambulance. They told her to give him CPR and that was it." Phillip's sister, Krystal, who is 13 as well, suffered minor injuries thanks to her heroic sibling. She mourned the loss of her brother and called him a hero saying, "He saved my life. He was a hero. He will always be a hero." The heroic boy was a middle school student in the William Floyd School District who posted online about the tragic development. 

The police earlier explained that Phillips was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital in critical condition and Randolph was also taken to the same hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The vehicle of interest is described as a light gray 2005 to 2009 Chevrolet Equinox with front passenger bumper damage with the headlight missing and the side view front passenger mirror also broken. The police are also offering a $5,000 reward for information.