Often grandchildren in Ohio and elsewhere look to their grandparents as a source of knowledge and adoration. After a pedestrian accident that robbed one 8-year-old little boy of his grandmother, he will likely forever remember his grandmother as a hero — as the woman that saved his life.

The 57-year-old grandmother was crossing the street with her grandson just prior to 10 p.m. on the night of the accident. According to police, the pair was leaving a church service when a black Ford escape came streaking down the path of the grandson and grandmother.

The grandmother must have seen the car coming because she used what few precious seconds she was afforded to push her grandson to safety, sacrificing her life in the process. Tragically, witnesses recount that the woman was thrown 10 to 20 feet upon impact and later died at a local hospital. The child only suffered minor scratches and bruises.

The suspect left the scene of the accident but later turned himself into police several hours after the pedestrian accident. It remains unclear if the man was driving in an excessive speed at the time of the impact. The driver has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident. The 40-year-old suspect remains jailed may be awaiting further charges, according to police.

This family could recoup for their emotional loss because the driver ended up turning himself into police. However, in some instances when a driver flees, the driver does not turn themselves in. A victim in Ohio can still be covered by their insurance policy. In these situations it is critical to have enough uninsured motorist coverage in the event that an individual becomes the victim of a hit-and-run pedestrian accident.

Source: MSNBC, "Woman pushes 8-year-old grandson to safety, is killed by hit-run driver," Jonathan Vigliotti, April 6, 2012