MINNEAPOLIS — A Minneapolis woman is recovering in the hospital with several broken bones after a hit-and-run crash.

Julia Klatt Singer, a Minneapolis preschool teacher, poet and painter, said she was crossing Central Avenue at Second Street East on a green light after 4 p.m. last week. A large black SUV approached her as she was halfway through the crosswalk, she said.

“I just remember flying through the air and as I was flying through the air, I was thinking, ‘This was not how I’m going to die.’” said Singer.

Soon after, a crowd gathered around her to help. So too, Singer said, did the driver of that SUV.

“I heard a voice, I didn’t see the person, say, ‘I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you.’” she said.    

But not long after, Singer said the driver disappeared. 

Singer is now laid up at Hennepin County Medical Center, covered in bandages and medical equipment. Her injuries include a broken heel and knee, and a fractured hip and vertebrae.

She has now been through two surgeries.

“I know he didn’t mean to hit me, but he just wasn’t paying attention,” said Singer.

Singer said she is incredibly lucky to be alive and is grateful to say she will eventually be back walking and biking.

She thinks whoever hit her got overwhelmed, scared and fled.  

It’s time now, she said, for that person to take accountability.

“I know it would make it so much easier for my family members because they feel pretty powerless, and they know what a long road of rehab I have, and it would just feel better to have that person come forward and say they had done it,” said Singer.

Minneapolis police said they are still investigating. So far, there have been no arrests.  

Many business organizations in Minneapolis have started an online petition opposing the City Council’s recent vote to create a 15-person Labor Standards Board to oversee minimum wage laws, employee benefits and training.

Loon Café owner Tim Mahoney told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS the plan is get enough signatures to convince Mayor Jacob Frey to veto the recently approved measure.

“If we can get 2,000 signatures, get them to his office, he says he will veto it. Maybe he won’t, maybe he will,” said Mahoney.

Mahoney says the city already has a competitive minimum wage ordinance when held against comparable cities. He fears the newly approved Labor Standards Board could drive small businesses and paying customers out of the city.

“It’s not just about the restaurant industry. It’s about small businesses and businesses as a whole in Minneapolis,” Mahoney said. “By midnight, customers are hitting the road. We used to have to kick people out of here at 2 in the morning. It’s just not that way anymore. And why?”

Michael Rubke supports the Labor Standards Board. He said it is something that’s been promised by Frey and other city leaders.

“It’s really important that we get this passed. This is one of those rare opportunities where the workers, the working class, get an equal voice at the table with the business owners,” Rubke said. “This is about the Labor Standards Board, something he promised. Just make sure he knows that. He promised this.”

In a statement, Mayor Frey’s office said, “Mayor Frey has long been a champion of a balanced, fair, and equitable Labor Standards Board — but the Council’s proposal isn’t that. The mayor is meeting with stakeholders from the business and labor communities to determine next steps.”