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Mother, Infant Narrowly Miss Getting Hit By Livery Cab In The Bronx

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police are investigating a crash involving a livery cab in the Bronx that could have led to tragedy.

The incident happened on Prospect Avenue in the Morrisania section of the borough Tuesday afternoon.

The driver of a livery cab apparently suffered a heart attack and lost control of his vehicle, which jumped the curb and crashed into the front of a Dunkin' Donuts, 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria reported.

Police Investigate After Livery Cab Crashes Into Dunkin' Donuts In The Bronx

A 17-year-old girl, who was pushing her young daughter in a stroller at the time of the accident, narrowly missed getting hit by the vehicle.

As CBS 2's Don Champion reported, a security camera caught the dangerous and terrifying moments, during which the young mother – Alondra Gervicio – had little time to react.

Trisha Torres watched as it all unfolded.

"It got really close; the mother took her out really fast," Torres said.

Gervicio was walking with her 8-month-old daughter, Perla, in a stroller outside a store. The car darted at them out of nowhere.

"We heard a big bang, and all of a sudden I'm hearing, 'A baby! A baby!'" Torres said. "And then the car hit in front of our store."

Gervicio managed to scoop the baby out of the stroller and get out of harm's way, D'Auria reported.

Meanwhile, people nearby jumped into action -- trying to make sure the mom and baby were okay.

"It happened so fast, the mom took the child out of the car," said Denise Trinidad. "But the child was alive. She was crying."

The mangled stroller under the rear tire of the vehicle was proof of how the mom and daughter barely avoided a direct hit. A photo showed little Perla in the hospital, recovering from bruises and cuts.

Her family was relieved.

"It really frightened us, because we're like, 'How is the baby? It was frightening," said cousin Vanessa Sanchez.

The 68-year-old driver of the livery cab was pronounced dead at the scene. The mom and infant were taken to Lincoln Medical Center overnight for observation.

Before hitting the building, the driver hit another car, but no one inside was hurt.

No customers were in the Dunkin' Donuts store at the time of the incident.

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