1 Dies After Truck Plows into 4 Kids, Mom in Ariz.

GLENDALE, Ariz. --

A young child has died and three other children are hospitalized with life threatening injuries after they were hit by a truck Tuesday night in south Glendale.

Police said two women and four children were standing in the middle of 67th Avenue near Bethany Home Road, in the center turn lane, when a truck plowed into them Tuesday night.

Abigail Summers, who drove by moment after the accident, stopped to help.

“I saw a little baby girl lying in the street, and then I saw all these little kids just lying in the street. Bodies (were) just tangled up,” said Summers.

“I just heard a big boom and a lady screaming, so I ran out to the street and the lady came up to me. She was covered in blood and she was hysterical,” said Shavona Hooks, who also tried to help.

Police say 5-year-old Alexis Vega-Vasquez died from her injuries. Three other children, ages 4, 2 and 6 months are in critical condition with possible life-threatening injuries.

The mother of the children, Julia Vasquez, 23, was taken to a local hospital where she was treated and released. Her sister, Claudia Garcia, 21, was treated and released at the scene.

The driver of the pickup truck is identified as Marla McKitrick, 55 of Phoenix.

McKitrick told investigators she became distracted when her cell phone rang and momentarily took both hands off the steering wheel to manipulate the phone, which was on a lanyard around her neck.

Glendale police detective Mark Lankford said vehicular investigators were brought to the scene to conduct a thorough investigation. The DUI van was also brought to the scene, but police said that was standard procedure for an accident this severe.

Initial reports show the women and children were about 300 feet away from the crosswalk.

Both police and firefighters said this is a good reminder of why it’s so important to utilize crosswalks.

“It was dark out. Obviously -- always take extra time to go to crosswalk with a light. (It’s a) lot safer,” Capt. Eddie Smith, of the Glendale Fire Department.

Police said it was too early to say whether the driver of the truck would face any charges.

Copyright 2010 by KPHO.com. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.