Shop owners left traumatised after a woman was killed by a truck on a busy shopping strip in Melbourne's inner south-east say the local council had ignored their pleas to ban trucks from the road.

The woman was walking on Glen Huntly Road, Elsternwick when she was hit about 11.15am on Tuesday.

"I heard screaming," said Elena Rieck, who has owned Frank's Elsternwick Bakery with her husband for 49 years.

"I crossed the road and saw her under the truck behind the back wheel. I saw her face. I knew she was dead." 

Ms Rieck said she had been worried someone would get hurt after watching about 20 trucks a day "roaring" up the road alongside trams and elderly pedestrians.

She said reported her concerns to the Glen Eira Council three times in recent months, writing that the trucks should be diverted up another road.

"I've been telling them it's dangerous, they are going to kill someone," she said.

"They just laughed at me. They said it was OK as long as they [the truck owners] pay their registration." 

Ms Rieck said she was going to find it hard to get the image out of her head. 

"I'm so devastated to see [it], you have no idea," she said. "It's so sad, it's Christmas." 

Frank Rieck, who fought back tears as he struggled to speak, said he was shocked at the "terrible" accident.

"My wife told them [the council] all the time," he said. "Trucks kill people." 

A few doors up the street, Anna Pham, who works at her family's dry cleaners Wear Well, said she also felt traumatised.

"I didn't think it would happen so close to work and so close to Christmas," she said. 

The truck driver, a 58-year-old Aspendale Gardens man, stopped to help the woman. She died at the scene.

He is assisting police. 

Glen Huntly Road is closed between Ridley and Gordon Streets.

Motorists and pedestrians have been asked to avoid the area.

Police will prepare a report for the Coroner.

Glen Eira Council has been contacted for comment. 

Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000