Grieving chef issues heartbreaking message to the elderly driver who mowed down and killed his wife at a pedestrian crossing: "Why?'

By ASHLEY NICKEL, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA and KYLIE STEVENS, SENIOR BREAKING NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 15:31, 4 August 2026 | Updated: 15:35, 4 August 2026 A grieving chef desperately wants answers from the elderly driver who mowed down his wife in Sydney's south-west.  Mother-of-two Nurhayati Pamungkas, 43, was on her way to buy groceries before  picking up her children from school when she was struck by a Toyota Tarago at a pedestrian crossing in Lakemba on July 28. She was rushed to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition, where she was placed in an induced coma. She tragically succumbed to her injuries on Monday night, surrounded by her husband and their children aged 13 and seven. The last week has been a nightmare for Dick's Hotel Balmain head chef Agung Purwanto. The last text he received from his wife, also a chef, was to say that she was buying groceries for dinner.  The chef first learned something was wrong when he received a call from his daughter's school after no one arrived to pick her up. He was on his way to collect his daughter when he found out why. Nurhayati Pamungkas (pictured with her husband, Agung Purwanto) died on Monday night, six days after she was hit by a car  The mother-of-two was in an induced coma for six days Mr Purwanto fought back tears as he issued a message for the elderly driver, 82, who was behind the wheel. 'I just want to say something to him. Why? Just why?,' he told 7News. Ms Pamungkas' boss at Bellavita Cafe in Potts Point described her as a 'top of the top' worker. 'She is like my sister, honestly. Everything in my shop, it's her touch,' Rashed Sikder said 'She did everything perfect for me and I used to have one day off just because of her. When she went back to Indonesia, I was struggling.' Dicks Hotel Balmain, where Mr Purwanto works as a chef, confirmed his wife's passing on Tuesday.  'We are heartbroken to share that Nurhayati has sadly passed away,' the pub said. 'Agung, our head chef, and their two children were by her side, but her injuries were just too severe. 'In the midst of unimaginable grief, your kindness has been overwhelming. We can't thank you enough for every donation and message. It truly means the world. Mr Purwanto (above) has one question for the elderly driver: 'Why?' Ms Pamungkas, pictured with her husband Agung, was on her way to collect their children from school 'Please keep Agung and his family in your thoughts as they begin to navigate life without their beautiful wife and mum.' Dick's Hotel owner Elia Economou had earlier set up a GoFundMe so Mr Pamungkas could focus on his wife and care for their children. 'Nurhayati was doing what most parents do every day... heading to pick up her two young kids from school. She never made it,' the fundraiser said. 'In a matter of seconds, the life (that) she and her husband Agung had worked so hard to build was turned upside down. 'Many people know Agung as the much-loved chef from Dick's Hotel and Apache Salut, where he has quietly looked after people through food, smiles and friendship for more than five years.' As of Tuesday, the campaign had raised more than $50,000 for Mr Pamungkas and his family. Ms Pamungkas was hit by the car while getting groceries for her family's dinner on the way to collecting her children (pictured are emergency services at the scene) The 82-year-old Toyota Tarago driver was taken to hospital for further assessment and mandatory testing following the crash. No charges have yet been laid.  Police investigations into the crash continue Another pedestrian - a 64-year-old man who was on his way home from midday prayers at a nearby mosque - was also critically injured. One week later, he remains in St George Hospital on life support.  Three other pedestrians who were also crossing the road at the time of the incident were not injured. Shocked witnesses claimed the Toyota ran through a red light before it drove into pedestrians. The car then crashed into two vehicles stopped at the lights on the other side of the road. Anyone with information or dashcam footage is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers.