Crime 13-Year-Old Boy Killed in Hit-and-Run After Pushing Sister Out of the Way: 'He Saved My Life' "He was a hero, he will always be a hero," Desira Mack said of her 13-year-old son Tyler Phillips, who was killed last week in a hit-and-run while protecting his sister Krystal Randolph By Glenn Garner Glenn Garner Instagram Twitter Glenn Garner is a Writer/Reporter who works heavily with PEOPLE's Movies and TV verticals. Since graduating from Northern Arizona University with a dual major in journalism and photography, he got his professional start at OUT Magazine, The Advocate and Teen Vogue, and he's since consistently kept his finger on the pulse of the LGBTQ community. His first book The Guncle Guide was released in 2020 and was featured on Katie Couric's list of 100 recommended books of the year. People Editorial Guidelines Published on October 20, 2022 07:02 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Police are seeking help in finding the driver who killed a 13-year-old and injured another last week in Long Island, N.Y. Tyler Phillips died the day after he and his sister Krystal Randolph, also 13, were struck by an SUV while walking to the shelter where they were living in Coram on Wednesday, Oct. 12, according to NBC 4. The incident happened a day after Tyler's 13th birthday. Suffolk County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Tyler and Krystal were both transported to Stony Brook University Hospital, where Krystal was treated for a sprained arm, according to ABC 7. Tyler died several hours after the incident. His mother Desira Mack told NBC 4 that his skull and vertebrae were separated. "He was a hero, he will always be a hero," Desira told NBC 4, as Krystal added: "He saved my life." 16-Year-Old Asked Mom to Drop Him at Skate Park. She Never Saw Him Alive Again: 'He Was So Loving' gofundme Desira clarified to Westchester's News 12 last Thursday that although her son was still on life support, he had no more brain function and was "not breathing on his own," explaining: "The day they literally take him off everything is when he's gone - but he's already gone they said." Tyler and Krystal were walking home from Gordon Heights Children's Park in a bike lane on Granny Road at around 7:30 p.m. when the car struck them from behind. Krystal told NBC 4 that the car had no lights on, even though it was dark outside. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Family friend Steffani Campbell witnessed the incident in which the car "hit [Krystal] first and I guess [Tyler] went to jump and grab her, and it just took him," telling NBC 4 that she "watched him fly to the middle of the street" before calling the ambulance and administering CPR. 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. Suffolk County Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 cash reward to anyone who calls 1-800-220-TIPS with anonymous tips leading to the arrest of a suspect. 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 lost."