By Daily Mail Reporter and Jennifer Madison,
Dailymail.co.uk
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A young ballerina from Bulgaria has been killed by a hit-and-run driver after flying to the U.S. to attend a prestigious dance school.
Polina Kadiyska, 22, had been attending the Rock School for Dance in South Philadelphia, on a scholarship.
She had been walking home after having dinner at a Chinese restaurant when she was hit by a car as she crossed the street in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Police say she was crossing Broad Street, in a marked crosswalk, with a green light, at approximately 4am and had the right-of-way when she was struck.
The student was taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, where she was placed on life support.
She had come to the Rock School of Dance on scholarship from Bulgaria about three years ago
Her family, after arriving from Bulgaria, made the heart-wrenching decision to turn the machine off earlier today (Editor’s Note: Yesterday), as there was no hope of her making a recovery.
A post on the dance school’s blog this evening reads in part: ‘The Directors and Polina’s loved ones stayed at the hospital until her parents arrived from Bulgaria around 1:30 this morning. Polina passed on a few hours later.
‘Our hearts and love go out to Polina and her family. She was a beautiful person in every way.’
Police have meanwhile arrested Deandre Barnes who is accused of running a red light, hitting three parked cars and fleeing the scene on foot.
He was tracked down after a tip-off from waitresses when he and a friend returned to his Audi to retrieve his personal effects.
Barnes only turned 19 on Saturday.
He now faces a litany of charges, including aggravated assault while driving under the influence, criminal mischief, driving while intoxicated, and recklessly endangering another person.
His bail is set at $1million, and he is scheduled to be arraigned April 3.
His passenger was not charged, reports Philly.com.
According to the website, Barnes was previously scheduled to appear in court on April 2 for an alleged assault that occurred last August. Court records show he is accused of threatening and attacking a female acquaintance.
His attorney Emmett Madden, has denied guilt in both cases.
Mr Madden told Philly.com Ms Kadiyska crossed the street mid-block when she ran into Mr Barnes’ lane.
After speaking to his client and other witnesses, Mr Madden assessed the hit-and-run: ‘[Barnes] might have gotten scared initially (and left), but he came back to make sure the girl was OK.’
Mr Madden said he had not yet read the police report; he suggested in the first case the alleged assault was fabricated by the accuser.
Friends and loved ones are meanwhile gathering to remember Ms Kadiyska.
Young Bulgarian dancer Polina Kadiyska died after an accident in Washington
By Dana DiFilippo & Vinny Vella, Philly.com
A huge portrait of Polina Kadiyska keeps watch over Washington Avenue near Broad from the window of the Rock School for Dance Education, her lithe dancer’s body frozen in midair in the rhythms of a routine. The picture overlooks the street where the young ballerina moved for the last time.
A Rock School student from Bulgaria – who also apparently worked on the side as hired eye-candy for parties – Kadiyska, 22, died today from injuries she received after being run down Sunday by a drunk, teenage driver.
Police say Deandre Barnes, who had just turned 19 the day before, ran a red light and hit Kadiyska about 4 a.m. Sunday, as she crossed the street near her school after she had left a nearby Chinese restaurant.
