2-year-old killed, 2 others hurt after struck by mail truck in Elizabeth

ELIZABETH (WABC) -- A 2-year-old girl was killed and two other people hurt after being struck by a mail truck in Elizabeth, New Jersey, on Monday morning.

The crash happened just after 10 a.m. near the intersection of Rahway Avenue and Dehart Place.

An eyewitness at the scene told reporter Lucy Yang that he believes both the people walking and the U.S. Postal Service truck had the the right of way. The people had a "walk" light, and the mail truck had a green light to turn right. The grandmother, 55-year-old Anna Chacon, was carrying 2-year-old Sofia Flores she was struck by the postal truck.

The witness said it appeared that when the grandmother saw the car coming, she tried to buffer the blow with her body, but it was not enough to save the child, who went flying out of her arms.

The grandmother ended up pinned under the truck, the witness said. The postal worker then carried the baby to the grass.

The witness said he yelled at the postal worker to not touch the victims, but it was too late.

Sofia was rushed to Trinitas Hospital, where she died a short time later.

Chacon and Sofia's 4-year-old brother were also taken to the hospital. The grandmother underwent emergency surgery and is considered in critical but stable condition. The boy was treated for cuts and bruises and released.

The driver remained at the scene.

George Flood, a spokesman for the USPS, released this statement Monday afternoon:

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to all involved in the tragic event today. The Postal Service is conducting a full investigation into this accident and is also working cooperatively with local officials at the scene."

The investigation is ongoing.