Toddler struck and killed by SEPTA paratransit vehicle in South Philadelphia

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A toddler has died after being struck by a SEPTA paratransit vehicle in South Philadelphia.

Family members identify the child as 2-year-old Muhammad Sylla.

The accident happened around 5:15 p.m. Monday along the 1700 block of South 21st Street.

Surveillance video captured the accident and shows the little boy jumped into the road.

He was knocked down and then run over by the left front tire.

"I saw the video. The video is hard to watch. It's very graphic. It's very sad. It's a tragedy," Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said.

"I saw the baby run into the street and then, boom, the truck hit him. All I saw when I looked under the truck, the baby was lying on the curb and he was just bleeding," witness Amaya Smith Gilbert said.

Police say the boy's father and another relative were outside when the accident happened. They were working on an SUV.

Undercover officers were right around the corner and responded to the scene. They rushed the child to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia where he was later pronounced dead.

Relative Muhammad Konate witnessed the accident.

"I feel terrible right now because he was bleeding real bad. I feel terrible," Konate said.

Police have interviewed the SEPTA driver. Investigators say it appears to be just a tragic accident with no wrongdoing.

Police are urging parents to talk with their children.

"The parents have to tell their kids, whether they live on a small street or a busy street, you have to stay on the sidewalk, you can't cross the street unless you're with an adult," Small said.

Police are continuing to investigate.