A pregnant woman died Thursday after being struck by a vehicle at East 188 Street and Webster Avenue.

The woman, 33-year-old Donnette Sanz, was rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital, underwent an emergency cesarean section and delivered a boy. Sanz was seven-months pregnant.

The newborn, Shawn Michael Sanz, is in critical condition in St. Barnabas? neonatal intensive care unit. Doctors at the hospital say they are optimistic he will survive.

Witnesses say the incident began when a van?s breaks failed to work as Sanz was crossing Webster Avenue Thursday. The van hit and then threw her into the path of an oncoming bus. Sanz then became pinned underneath the bus.

Witnesses rushed to her aid and were able to lift the bus off of Sanz before she was rushed to the hospital. Officials say the efforts of witnesses helped save the newborn.

?We?re certainly thankful that there are people who are willing to do something along those lines,? says NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly, who along with Mayor Michael Bloomberg visited the Sanz family.

Kelly says the 72-year-old driver of the van was charged with driving with a suspended license. It is not yet known if additional charges will be brought against the van?s driver. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.