Heartbreaking outcome from the family of school crossing guard Andrew Tyler | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ald. Cavalier Johnson
November 20, 2017
This week, most Americans are preparing to travel to join family as they celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. Right now, there is a family traveling from Tennessee to Milwaukee – not to celebrate with family and to give thanks, but to say goodbye to a beloved family member. Andrew Tyler, the crossing guard who was struck by a hit-and-run driver will not survive his injuries.
Andrew was a son. Andrew was a brother. Andrew was a father and a family man. Andrew was a public servant. Andrew worked to realize racial equality in fair housing in Milwaukee during the 1960’s. Andrew was an NAACP Commando. Andrew worshipped at the same church in Milwaukee all of his life. Andrew was a teacher in Milwaukee Public Schools at Washington High School. Andrew worked with the Milwaukee Police Department serving as a crossing guard, making sure that our kids get to school safely. Now, Andrew has been taken away from his family and our community.
After the hit-and-run on November 10, Andrew had to have his left leg amputated. Days later, his kidneys began to fail and his right leg also had to be amputated. The first phone call that I received during this week of Thanksgiving was from Andrew’s daughter telling me he is now brain dead.
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We all need to think about our actions out on the street. We need to think about the people we may hurt and the reasons we may do it. Our actions not only affect a person directly, it impacts their daughters and sons and grandchildren, who in this case, wait for their father and grandfather to come home. The actions of the reckless prevented Andrew from doing that, and it isn’t fair. It isn’t right. Not for the victim, and surely not for family members.
Andrew Tyler’s family is offering a reward of at least $1,000 dollars for evidence that result in an arrest. I am again calling on the person who struck Andrew to do the right thing, take responsibility, and turn him/herself in. Andrew’s family deserves justice and closure.
Andrew’s family is still working to pay medical bills and will now be preparing for funeral costs. I encourage members of the community to contribute at www.gofundme.com/andy-the-crossing-guard.
The Milwaukee Police Department is still searching for the reckless driver responsible for Mr. Tyler’s injuries. The police are looking for a burgundy, 4-door, 1997-2001 Buick Park Avenue or LeSabre. I urge anyone with information to call Milwaukee Police at 414-935-7360 and bring justice in this tragic situation.