10-year-old girl killed by SUV after pushing 2 kids out of harm's way in San Diego

SAN DIEGO, California -- A 10-year-old girl is being called a hero after she pushed two children out of harm's way when a runaway SUV ran over and killed her on Monday.

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

Alyssa Jenkins said, "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."

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 car grabbed her and pushed through the fence and wound up pinning Kiera.

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