A grieving chef is seeking answers after his wife, a mother of two, died from injuries sustained when she was struck by a vehicle at a pedestrian crossing in Sydney's southwest. Nurhayati Pamungkas, 43, was on her way to buy groceries before picking up her children from school on July 28 when she was hit by a Toyota Tarago in Lakemba.
Ms. Pamungkas was taken to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition and placed in an induced coma. She died on Monday night with her husband and their two children, aged 13 and seven, by her side. Her husband, Agung Purwanto, head chef at Dick's Hotel Balmain, expressed his grief and confusion, asking the 82-year-old driver, "Why? Just why?"
Witnesses reported that the Toyota Tarago ran through a red light before striking pedestrians. The vehicle then collided with two other cars that were stopped at the lights on the opposite side of the road. In addition to Ms. Pamungkas, another pedestrian, a 64-year-old man, was critically injured and remains on life support at St. George Hospital. Three other individuals crossing the road at the time were unharmed.
Mr. Purwanto's employer at Dick's Hotel Balmain confirmed his wife's passing, sharing a statement of heartbreak and gratitude for public support. A GoFundMe campaign established by the hotel owner to assist Mr. Purwanto and his family has raised over $50,000. The campaign's description noted that Ms. Pamungkas was performing a routine task of picking up her children when the incident occurred, devastating the life she and her husband had built.
The 82-year-old driver was taken to the hospital for assessment and testing. Police investigations into the crash are ongoing, and no charges have been filed as of Tuesday. Authorities are urging anyone with information or dashcam footage to contact them.