Days Before Birthday, Child Struck At Walmart Parking Lot

AUBURNDALE, FL -- A four-year-old girl died Friday after being struck by a Toyota pickup truck in the parking lot of a Polk County Walmart Friday only days days away from celebrating her birthday.

The incident occurred as the child was walking with her grandmother through the parking lot around 10:56 a.m. The Walmart is located at 2120 Highway 92, according to Deputy Chief Carin Ketcham of the Auburndale Police Department.

Alleria Elkins was taken to Lakeland Regional Health where she was later pronounced dead. She would have celebrated her fifth birthday on March 21.

The child's grandmother was identified as 57-year-old Debra Elkins of the 2700 block of Taylor Road in Winter Haven.

Ketcham said that Elkins was pushing a shopping cart to the cart corral when a Toyota Tundra stopped to let her pass. The driver of the Tundra was identified as 51-year-old Randy Reyes Diaz of the 600 block of Wolf Run in Winter Haven.

"After Debra cleared the aisle, Diaz continued forward in his truck," Ketcham explained. "Alleria crossed the aisle in front of Diaz towards her grandmother. Diaz never observed Alleria, but heard a noise and immediately stopped his truck. "

The crash is under investigation. Witnesses should call Detective Alex Pena of the Auburndale Police Department at 863-965-5555.