San Diego

Girl, 10, Who Died Saving Toddler Remembered as Hero

"We've just all rallied together as a neighborhood just to be there"

A memorial of flowers, stuffed animals and a note draped a fence in a community northeast of San Diego on Tuesday, near the site where a 10-year-old girl was hit and killed by a car.

Neighbors and family were mourning the loss of the girl who died trying to save another child on Monday afternoon. The girl, Kiera Larsen, was remembered by neighbors as beautiful, playful and a true hero.

Authorities say Kiera was playing with her siblings and friends outside her home when somehow a Mercedes parked in the girl’s yard rolled down a sloping driveway and toward the group of kids.

The accident happened in the 13400 block of Interstate 8 business in Lakeside just after 5 p.m.

Kiera saw the approaching car, California Highway Patrol officers say, and pushed a 2-year-old girl out of the way, saving her.

Kiera suffered injuries and was rushed to Grossmont Hospital, but later died.

Neighbors were stunned and devastated about the loss.

“We’ve just all rallied together as a neighborhood just to be there and do whatever we can for them,” said neighbor Terra Ennis. “We love them very much. There’s not a lot we can really say or do so we’re just here for them.”

Authorities will perform a mechanical evaluation of the car to determine why it slid down the driveway.

Meanwhile, Kiera’s neighbors and friends have set up a GoFundMe page for her family. You can donate here.

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