'It's going to change my life forever': Teen injured in Edina hit-and-run speaks out, search for suspect continues

Kyla Avant says she's still having flashbacks and nightmares a week after a car hit her as she was trying to get on a bus to head to Edina High School. That moment plays in a loop before she goes to bed, and Kyla said she feels tense every time she's in a car and sees a pedestrian.

"It literally came out of nowhere," said Avant. "I'm just spinning in the air. I'm rolling basically, and all I see is the sky, and all I know is I'm going to be hurt."

Avant is home from the hospital but still has trouble walking. She's starting physical therapy as part of her healing process.

Mother of Edina student injured in hit-and-run speaks out; suspect still at large

Edina police believe the driver saw the flashing lights and the bus stop arm extended at France and Halifax avenues, but instead drove around the bus on the right side shoulder of the road, partly on the sidewalk, and hit Avant. Avant was rushed to the hospital, and the driver took off.

Days later, police found the Chevrolet Malibu over 70 miles away, ditched in Mankato.

"That means they drove all the way there, knowing that they hit somebody and they didn't know my condition," said Avant.

Avant said she loves dancing, and this accident will forever have an impact on her and her family.

"My brother, he actually saw it and it was really heartbreaking to me and I never really thought of it like, in his point of view," said Avant. "He actually thought that I had died, and that really messes with me."

Authorities locate vehicle involved in Edina hit-and-run that injured student

For Avant's mom, Carly Turner, watching her daughter cry is heartbreaking, and knowing she could have been killed is gut-wrenching. It also angers her that the driver hasn't come forward.

"As a parent, it's my responsibility to protect her. And I couldn't protect her," said Turner. "And I'm trying to still protect her."

"This has impacted my life in a big way and it's going to change my life forever," said Avant.

Turner said police believe they know the driver connected to the car, but police haven't yet announced any arrests. Avant hasn't returned to school but said she appreciates everyone's support.