WAIPAHU — A 1 1/2-year-old girl suffered fatal injuries yesterday when she darted into the path of a van in the parking lot of Times Super Market.

Police said the toddler had been on the sidewalk with her grandparents near the southeast corner of the market when she suddenly took off running toward the driveway leading to Farrington Highway.

"The grandfather was chasing the child, but the child was a little too quick," police officer Gary Montalbo Jr. said.

The girl was run over by a white Chevy van exiting the parking lot at 94-766 Farrington Highway.

Paramedics responded to the 4:55 p.m. call and took the girl to Hawaii Medical Center West in critical condition. She died a short time later at the hospital.

The van, carrying ladders and other work equipment, was driven by a 62-year-old man. Montalbo said it did not appear that speed or alcohol were factors in the incident.

"We're classifying this as a motor vehicle accident," he said.

Regalado and Loida Reyes of Waipahu were in their car behind the van when the girl dashed into the driveway. Regalado Reyes said the accident happened in a flash.

"The baby was running from the sidewalk all the way to the van," he said. "The grandpa was older and he didn't get her in time."

Reyes said the grandfather picked the child up while a number of onlookers came over to help. Reyes said he called 911 on his cell phone.

Loida Reyes said the girl was not crying and did not seem to be moving.

"The driver stopped right away. And he was saying, 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry — I didn't see the baby,' " Loida Reyes said.

The couple, who have a child the same age as the girl struck by the van, said they were saddened when they learned that she died from her injuries.

Reach Will Hoover at whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com.