A young woman has been left scarred for life after her face was slashed open during a hit-and-run collision.

Forest Tozer, 26, was covered in blood, with “chunks of flesh” scattered on her dress, after a reckless driver shattered her car’s wing mirror on a rural road in Aldington, near Ashford, earlier this month.

The motorist did not stop, but Mrs Tozer – who needed 20 stitches to close up the wound – says she has now been informed a police investigation into the crash has been shelved due to a lack of evidence.

This means the culprit will likely not be found, while Mrs Tozer will be reminded of the terrifying ordeal every day, thanks to the scar on her cheek.

Kent Police has confirmed it has been unable to trace the other driver – but says officers still want to hear from any witnesses.

Mrs Tozer and her husband Zak, 27, were forced to swerve to avoid the driver, who they estimate was going at about 70mph on Frith Road on June 13.

The couple say they were travelling between 30mph and 40mph, while returning to their Bilsington home at about 7.30pm.

Despite Mrs Tozer’s best efforts, the black car hit the side of their Ford Fiesta, shattering the wing mirror and denting the driver’s side.

“The other driver was in the centre of the road. Forest had to swerve out of the way to stop us having a head-on collision,” said Mr Tozer.

“I threw myself out of the car straight after the crash but they were driving so fast I did not get a clear look. I did not even know Forest was injured. When I turned around and saw her I couldn’t believe it.”

Mrs Tozer felt a wet and warm sensation on her chest before noticing she was covered in blood.

She went on: “Blood was pouring out of my face and I could see chunks of my flesh on my dress. The debris was almost completely through my cheek”.

Mrs Tozer says she is now nervous about driving and finds herself flinching in the car when an oncoming vehicle approaches.

“I am going to be left with a large scar on my face for life. It’s a horrible feeling. It’s been very hard to process,” Mrs Tozer explained.

“I was thinking if me and Zak ever have children then they won’t know their mum without a scar on her face.

“The face is the worst place to get an injury like this as it is always exposed. I am a gardener so I am going to need to be very careful about having the scar exposed to the sun.”

While in A&E, Mrs Tozer passed out when some water she was drinking leaked out of her face, through her wound.

With the police case shelved, Mrs Tozer and her family have asked residents on Frith Road if they have any CCTV footage of the collision, but with no luck so far.

The couple, who have been married for three years, believe officers did their best but they are “disappointed and upset” the offender has not been caught.

Mrs Tozer said: “I find it extraordinary that someone could hit-and-run like that. This has been a life-changing experience for me and I will always be left with the memory of this crash.

“We were lucky to get out alive. The glass was incredibly close to my eye and it could have been so much worse.

“I am still appealing to the local community and trying to remain positive that we can find the person responsible.”

A Kent Police spokesperson said: “Officers attended and it was established that two vehicles travelling in opposite directions had clipped wing mirrors, causing injury to one of the drivers.

“The other vehicle involved was not present when officers arrived and no registration details could be provided by witnesses.

“Officers have so far been unable to trace the other driver involved and anyone with information is asked to call 01843 222289, quoting reference 12-1607.”