This mother has been dubbed a hero by her family members who say her dying act was to shield her three-year-old son from a hit-and-run driver behind the wheel of a large Toyota 4Runner SUV.

The incident took place in Playa del Rey, a seaside community in the Santa Monica Bay, in western Los Angeles, in the US state of California on Saturday night (11th September) at around 11 pm local time, when Wendy Galdamez, 33, was hit while trying to cross the road to get to her car while having a family day at the beach, according to local media outlet KTLA5.

She was found cradling her young son by first responders, still according to KTLA5, who added that she had been at the beach with her husband and her two children.

Jennifer Vera, Galdamez’s cousin, told KTLA5: “It’s shocking. I can’t believe it still. We’re still in complete shock that this happened.”

She added: “My cousin, she was loving, nurturing, she was all about her family, she was so giving.”

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene according to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Her son was injured and was taken to hospital. He is expected to recover although details pertaining to his health status are currently unclear.

Her family say that her final act was to protect her child and that showed what can a person she was. Vera is quoted as saying: “I think she is a hero.”

She added: “I think she did what every mother would do and I think that speaks a lot of who she was as a mother.”

The family are demanding for justice and have started a crowdfunding page on GoFundMe (https://www.gofundme.com/f/wendy-galdamezs-family) to help the family.

The police investigation is ongoing. Authorities are looking for a Toyota 4Runner with significant damage to the front of the vehicle.