A mum's life was 'shattered' when she was nearly killed by a hit-and-run motorist who escaped justice. Kayley Hicken, 35, was struck down while waiting for a cab outside her mate's home on December 17, 2016.

A white VW Golf jumped the kerb and smashed into her, pulling the mum-of-one beneath the vehicle during the collision in Thurmaston, Leicestershire. Kayley sustained a devastating brain injury, a fractured leg, shattered pelvis, ruptured liver and internal haemorrhaging.

Her wounds were so critical, relatives said she was on the brink of death. However, she beat the odds and following a week in a coma and two months in hospital, medics branded her an 'unexpected survivor'.

Officers launched a hunt for the motorist but despite multiple arrests, nobody has ever been prosecuted. Kayley, who was compelled to quit her job as a carer following the collision, continues to endure pain and emotional trauma today.

There remains a possibility she will require additional surgery and may need a wheelchair in future years. She has now secured an undisclosed payout from the Motor Insurers' Bureau which provides compensation to victims hurt by untraceable drivers.

The funds will enable Kayley to access specialist care she needs and relocate to her own property. She said: "The collision changed everything in an instant. I suffered multiple injuries and the recovery has been long, painful, and exhausting - physically and emotionally.

"I'd just started training to be a home carer and was looking forward to building a career helping others, but I had to give that up as I couldn't even care for myself.

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"When I woke up in hospital I looked a mess. There were tubes everywhere and the doctors described me as an unexpected survivor. It was then that the gravity of what happened really sunk in.

"It wasn't a case of staying in hospital and recovering to go home. That was only the start of it. Once home I continued to suffer with problems and went from being an independent and outgoing person to one reliant on my family."

Kayley slammed the hit-and-run motorist who abandoned her at the scene, leaving her bleeding on the tarmac. She added: "I'll always be angry at the driver and what they did, especially driving off and leaving me for dead. Clearly, they have no conscience.

"What happened will always stay with me, but I've learned to try and control the things I can, such as my recovery, and trying to make the best life I can for my family."

Kayley obtained the settlement after approaching injury solicitors Irwin Mitchell. Her solicitor Kelly Lingard said: "Kayley's case vividly highlights the devastating consequences of crashes and how lived can be turned upside down in a split second.

"Understandably the last few years and trying to come to terms with physical and psychological impact of what happened has been incredibly difficult for not only Kayley but also her loved ones.

"While Kayley has made great progress in her recovery through access to rehab, she'll continue to be affected by her injuries for the rest of her life."

Kayley, who has a son, Lukah, 13, is sharing her story to coincide with Road Safety Week. She added: "Even after all these years I still suffer with pain, especially in my left leg.

"It really affected my mobility. I can only walk short distances and particularly struggle to carry anything. By sharing my story, I want others to see that there is hope after a life-changing injury and I hope that it will make others think twice and take care on the roads."

A Leicestershire Police spokesperson said: "After a lengthy investigation and several arrests, no charges were ever brought, and the case remains undetected. Should any new information come to light, this will be considered and further lines of enquires pursed."