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Family Remembers Grandmother Who Saved Blind Grandson From DUI, Hit-And-Run Driver

SAN CLEMENTE (CBSLA.com) — The family of a grandmother killed by a hit-and-run driver suspected of driving under the influence is sharing their story.

Martha Fessenden and her family returned to the site of the accident in San Clemente on Tuesday, where police say her mother, Marthann Demchuk, 76, was struck and killed by hit-and-run driver Kelly Wolfe, 46, on the 4th of July, 2013.

Demchuk was walking with her blind 13-year-old grandson, Mason, just before the accident. Demchuk then reportedly pushed her grandson out of the way of Wolfe's vehicle, but was struck and killed.

"I remember being pushed out (to) the side by her," Mason recalled.

Mason survived the ordeal with scrapes and bruises, and remembers calling her name after the incident.

"No response came out," Mason remembered. "So, that's how I knew she'd passed away."

Investigators arrested Wolf after a year, and she was arraigned from an Orange County jail cell in late August.

Mason says that rather than holding ill feelings toward Wolfe, he feels gratitude that his grandmother saved his life. He says he looks forward to the day he will see her again — for the first time.

"Once I see her, I'll actually be able to see her in heaven," Mason said.

Fessenden, meanwhile, praises her son's strength through the ordeal, and says she is eternally thankful for her mother's sacrifice.

"He's so much stronger than I ever will be, and I'm thankful to my mom. She's my hero for saving my son's life."

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