USPS carrier pinned, killed when mail truck rolls down driveway

LYNDON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WJBK) - A United States Postal Service mail carrier was killed earlier this week when she was pinned after her mail truck rolled down a driveway.

Authorities say the mail carrier, 56-year-old Tracy Sylo of Pinckney, was delivering a package on Blind Lake Road in Lyndon Township Wednesday afternoon when the accident happened. 

Her 1994 USPS mail-truck was parked at the top of the driveway when it began to roll down the pavement, pinning her in between the truck and a metal guardrail. 

The package she was trying to deliver was too large to fit into the mailbox so she drove it up the private road to deliver to the front porch.

It's not sure why the car started rolling down the driveway. 

MSP Lt. Mario Gonzales said the homeowner tried to help.

"Just an awful tragedy. The homeowner was home. He didn't hear anything at first and then came to the other side of the house and noticed a vehicle in peculiar position in his driveway and went out and discovered her pinned. He ran to a neighbor to see if he could get some help to try to get her loose and they just couldn't do it," Gonzales said.

Authorities say Sylo was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Sylo worked at the Post office in Pinckney, the USPS did not make anyone available to speak on camera but they were devastated by this accident. A representative for the USPS sent this statement: 

"The Postal Service is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our employees. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends during this most difficult time. The Employee Assistance Program is available to all USPS employees and their families."

MSP says there are not any residents in the area with any kind of home video surveillance.

"We've checked with some neighbors and none of them seem to have [cameras] right now, so we're going off what physical evidence is right now," Gonzales said.