22-year-old Polina Kadiyska's parents arrived in Philadelphia from Bulgaria while she was clinging to life at the hospital.
Polina was known as a very promising dancer – her picture displayed largely on the facade of The Rock School in South Philadelphia. People who knew her described her as beautiful, talented and kind, and their thoughts were with her and her family.
Jordan from The Rock School said, "She's a beautiful dancer - probably one of the sweetest people here. I know she's a mentor to a lot of our younger dancers.
In videos posted online Polina Kadiyska is featured as she lightly moves across the studio floor. Kadiyska came here from Bulgaria about three years ago. The directors of the Rock School saw promise and offered her a scholarship to study dance. With her hard work and natural talent, she had great expectations for upcoming auditions.
Stephanie Wolf Spassoff, Director at The Rock School For Dance, says, "She flew! She was just beautiful in the air and she appeared effortless when she danced. And she had turn, she had beautiful technique. But most of all it was the realness of her performing. It was the way her face just radiated beauty and love and joy."
Early Sunday morning, Kadiyska was in a marked crosswalk on the 1100 block of South Broad Street when she was struck by a green Audi. Investigators say 19-year-old Deandre Barnes ran a red light and stuck the young woman, throwing her 50 feet.
Barnes allegedly fled - hitting three parked cars before he and his passenger bailed and ran off. But police say the pair later returned to pick up personal items from the vehicle, and that's when Barnes was arrested.
The community at The Rock School gathered notes and flowers, praying for the young woman who always showed a passion for dance and for life.
Bojan Spassoff, President and Director at The Rock School says, "There is an inner performing capability, an inner joy and love that is almost impossible to train – to teach. And she had that, and it was just a joy to see her on stage."