'Young, wild and free': Family mourns student killed in hit-and-run

A university student has been killed in a hit-and-run in Melbourne's south-east late last night.

Nisali Perera, originally from Sri Lanka, was on her way home from Monash University just before 10pm when she was hit by a car and thrown more than 20 metres.

Police said she was crossing the road at Wellington Street near Scenic Boulevard in Clayton. The driver failed to stop.

Ms Perera's cousin has described her as "young, wild and free" in a tribute posted online.

"I never thought a spirit like hers would ever fall down."

CCTV shows two suspects strolling near a service station as an ambulance rushes past them in the opposite directions.

Police located the car believed to be involved, dumped at a church on North Road, Clayton about 11pm.

"I saw the hit, yeah it was, I've never seen anything like that in my life," a witness told Today.

"My feet are shaking, yeah it's hard but I just hope the victim's family is blessed by god."

Investigators believe the car was travelling at a high speed prior to the crash and are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or with dashcam footage to come forward.

A crime scene was established at Wellington Road.