The 13-year-old Long Island boy who was struck by a hit-and-run driver while walking with his sister on Wednesday night has died at Stony Brook University Hospital, his mother and school district officials say.
Suffolk police said Tyler Phillips and his sister, Krystal Philips, were walking westbound in the bike lane on Granny Road, near Middle Island Road, at about 7:30 p.m. when an unknown vehicle that was also traveling westbound struck him. The vehicle sped away on Granny Road, police said.
Tyler was taken in an ambulance to Stony Brook University Hospital in critical condition and Krystal was taken to the same hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
In a Facebook post Thursday, Tyler’s mother described him as a “hero” who pushed his sister out of the path of the oncoming car.
“My baby boy is a hero … lots of love,” she wrote. “I miss him. There’s no words that can describe on how I feel.”
Tyler had just celebrated his birthday on Tuesday.
A candlelight vigil has been planned for Friday in Gordon Heights.
“We have reached out to the family to offer any support that they may need during this difficult time… Our thoughts and prayers are with Tyler’s family and friends at this time.”
In a Facebook post, Schools Superintendent Lance Lohman called Tyler’s death tragic, saying that he “succumbed to his injuries early this morning.”
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tyler and Krystal’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time,” he wrote.
