Girl, 10, killed by SUV after pushing 2 children out of harm's way

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KABC) -- A 10-year-old girl, who was killed by a runaway SUV, is being called a hero for pushing two children out of harm's way.

The mother of the two children who were saved told KGTV that Kiera Larsen was her kids' protector.

"She saved both my daughters' lives, my two kids, all I have, and both could have been gone in an instant. She stepped in and took over and did what she knows and that's to protect those around her," Alyssa Jenkins said.

Addison and Emmah survived with just a few scratches from being pushed out of the way. Jonathan Gusich, their father, said, "(Kiera) was a big sister to them; she was always looking out for them and apparently she would give her life for my kids."

It all started when a Mercedes SUV, parked on a slope in neutral, began to roll.

KGTV reports the kids were in the yard playing when the car started rolling. Kiera pushed the two little ones out of the way. The SUV slammed through the fence and wound up pinning Kiera.

"She is truly a hero and will forever be my kids' guardian angel," Jenkins said.

A GoFundMe account is online to help the Larsen family with funeral expenses. More than $30,000 has been raised so far.

City News Service contributed to this report.