2-Year-Old Killed, 4-Year-Old And Grandmother Injured By Mail Truck In Union County

A 2-year-old-girl was killed after the impact of being struck by a United States Postal Service truck caused her to be tossed from her grandmother’s arms in Elizabeth on Monday.

It was just after 10 a.m. when the grandmother attempted to cross the intersection of Rahway Avenue & Dehart Place with the girl and another 4-year-old child. Witnesses told 7 Online that when she saw the vehicle coming toward them she tried to “buffer” the blow of the crash with her body.

“When she looked back she saw the truck and turned but the baby flew up,” witness Andres Figueroa told NBC New York. “It’s hard to see a baby like that.”

The grandmother appeared to be unconscious and pinned under the truck as the USPS driver exited his vehicle and picked up the girl, carrying her off of the street, according to witnesses. He remained at the scene throughout the investigation.

The 2-year-old was immediately transported to Trinitas Regional Medical Center in critical condition, but was pronounced dead about 40 minutes after the incident occurred. The grandmother and the older child were taken to University Hospital in Newark, but their names have been withheld until authorities locate their next of kin, according to nj.com.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all involved in the tragic event today,” USPS spokesman George Flood said in a statement Monday afternoon. “The Postal Service is conducting a full investigation into this accident and is also working cooperatively with local officials at the scene.”