LITTLETON, Colo. -- A 13-year-old girl walking to a bus stop was flung into the air and seriously injured Friday morning when she was struck from behind by a hit-and-run driver.

Taylor Hunt was walking on a frontage road near South Wadsworth Boulevard and Chatfield Avenue when a vehicle traveling north struck her at about 6:40 a.m., the Colorado State Patrol said.

Taylor's father, Brian Hunt, said the force of the impact knocked her shoes off -- one of them was found 50 feet away.

"My guess is they don't live in this neighborhood," Hunt said of the driver.

"I have a broken leg, road rash all over my back and stitches on top of my head," Taylor said from her home Friday night. She said she has no memory of the crash.

Taylor attends Ken Caryl Middle School. The driver failed to stop and render aid, as required by Colorado law, so troopers are asking for the public's help to find him or her.

"I don't understand why he left; just left me there to die," a teary Taylor said.

Taylor's father also expressed frustration with the driver's actions.

"It's hard to imagine a child going over the hood of your car and you keep driving," Hunt said.

Neighbor Sophia Eva happened to be getting into her car when she saw Taylor seconds after the crash.

"She came walking up and said she'd been struck by a car," Eva said.

Eva used Taylor's cell phone to contact her father and stayed with her until help arrived.

"I think of my son, my kids; this could have been anyone," an emotional Eva told 7NEWS Reporter Lane Lyon.

Eva also met with Taylor Friday night.

Hunt explained the incident comes during a tough time for his family of three. His wife died six years ago, and the difficult economy has left him without work in the stone and tile business. The family plans to relocate in the next week and a half to be closer to relatives.

"At this point, I just thank God she's OK, and is going to make a full recovery," Hunt said.

Taylor said she was comforted by many text massages of support she'd received from classmates. One of her teachers arrived with a Christmas tree and food for her family Friday evening.

The vehicle involved is believed to be a small passenger vehicle and may have sustained front end damage.

If convicted the driver could face one to three years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000, Colorado State Patrol Trooper Gilbert Mares said.

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or has any information about the vehicle that failed to remain at the scene is urged to contact the Colorado State Patrol at 303-239-4583.