The U.S. Postal Service has settled a lawsuit over an accident where a driver struck a 2-year-old girl who was in the arms of her grandmother as they crossed an Elizabeth street in 2015.
According to authorities, on July 20, 2015, Ana Chacon carrying her 2-year-old granddaughter, Sofia Flores, in her arms, and while holding her 4-year-old grandson’s hand, attempted to cross Rahway Avenue sometime around 10:30 a.m., when they were struck by a U.S. Postal Service vehicle.
Officials say Sofia was taken to Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, were according to officials succumbed to her injuries at 11:09 a.m. Chacon was transported to University Hospital in Newark with a mild brain injury and fractures.
An investigation into the incident revealed that the driver, Joseph Collins, did not look right before turning onto Rahway Avenue, and was apparently using a cellphone just before the crash.
The U.S. Postal Service on Jan. 19th paid a total of $4.9 million to Sofia’s estate and the two other victims.