Thursday, August 18, 2011

See you later . . .

Well . . . my blogs are normally pretty upbeat and happy, but I must warn you, this one is not.


My cousin Tyler passed away on August 7th at the young age of 18.  He would be blowing out the candles on his 19th birthday next month.


Here he is just one year ago on his 18th birthday at Bari Bari 

Tyler was on his way to becoming a professional BMX bike rider.  He was sponsored by Monster Energy drink and was the biggest daredevil you've ever seen.  The things he could do on that bike were just so unreal.  He could fly so high in the air with no hands and do all of those crazy tricks that you see in the X-Games!  Look at him fly:




Tyler used his bike riding as a hobby and was planning on making it his career.  He is very well known in the BMX world and without a doubt would have been pro in the upcoming years.  

Tragically, Tyler was involved in a hit and run accident back in January.  A truck came from behind and hit Tyler as he was walking on the horse trail just 200 feet from his house.  The driver took off leaving Tyler there to die.  After much publicity thanks to Casper News as well as our local news stations Kcal 9 and ABC 7 the driver of that truck was found in the high desert.  Unfortunately, our justice system is crap and almost 7 months later a trial has still yet to begin on Tyler's case.  To keep it simple, that accident left Tyler with a brain injury.  Tyler was in the process of healing and just beginning to get back on his bike again and re-learn how to live life.  

On Saturday July 30th the unthinkable happened, Tyler was hit a second time by a car.  This time the car did not see Tyler at all and was going about 60 MPH or so.  The driver did stop and call 911, Tyler was in a coma when he arrived to the hospital.  I'm going to spare you all the details because it's not necessary to explain.  Tyler put up the biggest fight possible and after 7 months of fighting from his first accident his body just couldn't handle any more.  

Yesterday we celebrated Tyler's life.  He was one special guy that's for sure.  He had so many people there to celebrate that it became a standing room only for some.  Tyler had a bike outside his casket because we all know that he is really flying high up in the clouds of Heaven right now.  We were all able to sign his casket and say our "see you laters" to him.  He was an amazing guy and he touched the lives of so many.  Even now, he is still living on after his death.  His family made the selfless decision to donate Tyler's organs and he now lives in a 4 year old child and a 30 year old man, way to go Tyler!



Some say that Tyler must have been a pretty important guy to be needed in Heaven so soon.  I agree.  

If you believe in any type of higher power I would just like to ask that you please pray for my Aunt Belinda and my cousin Michael (Tyler's mom and brother).  They need strength to move forward from such a difficult and tragic time in their lives.  Thank you so much!

Heaven is an unimaginably beautiful place, enjoy Tyler, see you later!


September 23, 1992 - August 7, 2011
Ride in Paradise




1 comment:

  1. There are no words when something like this happens.

    I am so sorry for your families loss Jen. You are all in my thoughts and prayers!

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