An Irish American nun who was beloved in her community at St.Edwards Parish in Syosset, Long Island has died after being  the victim of a hit and run driver.

Police have reported that Sister Jacqueline Walsh, of Syosset, Long Island, was found lying at the side of the road in the town of Water Mill at 8.30pm on Monday.

Detectives located a car with damage to its front end about a half-a-mile from the scene. Police are still searching for the driver responsible.

Sister Walsh had been attending a retreat with her colleagues from the Sisters of Mercy, according to the Southampton Town police. Sister Walsh was the pastoral assistant at St. Edward the Confessor Church in Syosset. She was heavily involved with the local schools and community activities.

Det. Sgt. Lisa Costa told Patch.com that on Monday night at 8.30pm the police received reports of a woman lying on the ground, a few feet from the road, bleeding and unresponsive. She was dead when the emergency services arrived at the scene.

Shortly after, the police found the unoccupied 2009 Volkswagen Touareg, with front-end damage.

The police are asking for the public’s help in finding the driver. He is said to be a white Hispanic male, approximately 5 feet and 7 inches tall, in his 20s or 30s, with short spiked hair. He was wearing dark shorts and a white shirt at the time of the accident.

Costa said, "The Suffolk County district attorney’s office, the New York State troopers, a Riverhead K-9 unit, members of the Suffolk County Police Crime Lab, and the Southampton Fire Department responded to the scene to assist with the investigation."

Anyone with information can call 631-702-2230.