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Postal Worker Dies After Legs Severed In Freak Fatal Accident

BOYLE HEIGHTS (CBS)  — A 31-year-old postal worker died Wednesday after his legs were severed in a freak accident Tuesday in Boyle Heights, police said.

The worker, identified Wednesday evening as Anthony Dunn Jr.,  was standing near the rear of his van around noon Tuesday in the 1100 block of Prado Street when he was struck by another vehicle and pinned, according to Los Angeles police Officer Karen Rayner.

She said the driver who struck the man remained at the scene. That driver had a suspended license.

Dunn, of Compton, was taken to a hospital where he was declared dead at 4:30 p.m. today, Rayner said.

The motorist was not detained, but "the investigation is ongoing and possible charges are pending," Rayner said.

She added that the driver may have fallen asleep.

Serene Branson, reporting for CBS2 and KCAL9, said Dunn was sorting mail when he was struck.

Residents of the Boyle Heights neighborhood where Dunn died, set up a small but growing memorial where he was struck.

Carlos Macias said, "This is a terrible tragedy. Who would think something like this would happen?"

Resident Christopher Doan showed Branson photos he took of Dunn's USPS truck on his property where it rested after the accident.

Says Doan, "My wife took it very hard."

Dunn was taken LA County USC Medical Center where he died from his injuries.

Branson reports the driver who allegedly hit Dunn -- Felipe Soto of Escondido -- told investigators he swerved to avoid a dog at the time of the accident.

His vehicle was impounded after it was revealed Soto was driving without a license.

Branson said she was unable to get a comment from Blue Horizon Trading, the company Soto was working for.

LAPD Sgt. Larry Delgado told Branson that Soto stopped but now could still face felony charges.

(©2012 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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