MONTEREY PARK >> Police are seeking the driver who struck and critically injured a transgender teenage girl in front of a Monterey Park restaurant and fled the scene early Saturday, officials said.

The family of the victim Monday asked for the public’s help to find the driver, and even pleaded for the driver to turn him or herself in to the police.

• VIDEO: Transgender teen’s family asks public’s help in finding hit-and-run driver

“I want help from the community, maybe someone saw something, they could come forward,” said the teen’s uncle, who identified himself only by his first name, Fernando. He stood in front of City Hall, alongside other family members.

“My nephew is only 16 years old, he said, fighting back tears. “He has his whole life in front of him.”

The family also expressed thanks to the person who stopped and called 911 after finding the injured victim.

Police first received a call about 2:40 a.m. Saturday, reporting a female body lying on the ground in the 3700 block of Ramona Blvd., Monterey Park police officials said.

The victim had suffered injuries consistent with being hit by a car, but the vehicle and driver were nowhere to be found, the lieutenant said.

Further investigation revealed the injured person, “was the victim of an assault and struck by a vehicle,” police said in a written statement.

Police initially listed the victim as male, but it appeared the person was a transgender female teenager, officials said.

Investigators had not been able to speak with the still unidentified victim Saturday afternoon due to the severity of her injuries, Lt. Tina Montoya said.

No description of the hit-and-run vehicle was available, and police did not give information about whether the near-fatal attack was intentional or not, police said.

Anyone with information can reach Monterey Park police at 626-573-1311. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.