A teenager recently reunited with the family she never knew she had was killed after being hit by a car in Southern California Tuesday.

Chloe Harris, 17, and her grandmother Kathy Whitehair both died after being struck near Hemet while crossing the road at 8th Street and Florida Avenue, which is also Highway 74 and has a 55 mph speed limit, in pitch blackness.

Harris had only recently moved to the area after reuniting with her father, and he is devastated by what happened.

"I just recently found out about my daughter (and) she found out about me, and I just had her in my life for 3 months. I just wish it were longer," her father Chris Whitehair said.

According to a witness, Harris tried to push her grandmother out of the way of the oncoming vehicle. While Harris died at the scene, Whitehair died just hours later in hospital.

The driver stopped after hitting the two and was not arrested. Hemet police say they are investigating.

Harris’ family knows the victims were jaywalking by not using a crosswalk but believe the road is unlit and dangerous, especially as a bus stop and shop are at the location where the pair were struck.

"They seriously need to put a street light or a stop sign or a crosswalk or something," Harris' cousin Brittney Pulatie said.

A candlelight vigil for the victims is scheduled for Saturday afternoon.