Sad Story Of A Father Killed While Trying to Retrieve Child’s Favorite Toy

Only a parent knows the pure love experienced for your children.  So many parents would do anything to keep their children happy.  It is a lifelong obsession that turned horribly tragic for one Tennessee father.

Joshua Thomas Tayler, 32, was driving down Interstate 65 just south of Nashville, when his child threw a favorite toy out the window.  Taylor travelled home with the child but later returned just before 9pm to look for the lost toy. The father parked his car near an on ramp to the highway and began searching for the toy.

Tennessee Department of Transportation HELP truck drivers tried to convince the father that what he was doing was very dangerous. To avoid them, the father jumped the jersey barrier and began walking down the opposite side of the highway.  The highway department employees, whose job is to render aid to motorists in need,  tried to intervene with flashing caution lights to slow down drivers.

However, tragically, a GMC Yukon in the northbound lanes struck the father killing him instantly.  The driver stayed on scene and did not display any indications of impairment and is not expected to be charged with a crime.

Police in San Angelo remind all drivers that roadside accidents often turn deadly for pedestrians.  It is never a good idea to walk near a busy highway. Even, San Angelo main thoroughfares have been the scene of fatal pedestrian accidents.  On March 15h here in San Angelo 23-year-old Diego Mar of San Angelo was struck and killed in the 1100 block of North Bell Street.

Texting and mobile phone distractions have led to a spike in pedestrian injuries and deaths in the last few years. Drivers should always watch for the unexpected and keep their eyes on the road, police say.

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In the wake of this accident, authorities are unsure what kind of toy the dad ultimately gave his life for.  They are also unsure why he fled the HELP trucks and highway safety officers that were there to render aid.  All that  is left is a mourning family and a child who will grow up knowing his father gave his life to help him retrieve a favorite toy.