Mother of Queensland woman killed in Bali scooter crash 'doesn't want boyfriend charged'
The mother of a young Queensland woman who died in a scooter crash in Bali has pleaded with Indonesian police not to charge her boyfriend.
Sophie Martini, 27, from Townsville, was a passenger on a scooter allegedly driven by her boyfriend Steele Nugent, 28, on Monday morning.
The pair, who were reportedly wearing helmets, were in Kuta for a friend's wedding when their bike crashed around midnight.
Ms Martini suffered severe leg injuries and was rushed to Denpasar Hospital. She suffered major blood loss and died upon arrival.
Mr Nugent was not badly injured in the crash, but police have held him for questioning, News Corp reports.
He has been released from custody and police have told him he will likely be allowed to return home after promising to return if he is charged.
Ms Martini’s mother has reportedly sent Bali police a letter, asking them to halt criminal charges against her deceased daughter’s partner.
She’s also requested that her daughter’s body be returned home.
Balinese police are said to be considering the grieving mother’s request, adding the letter would be taken into account.
Denpasar Traffic Chief Commissioner Rahmawaty Ismail said the mother wrote about how the couple “have a special relationship”.
Comm Ismail said Mr Nugent told police he had no idea what caused him to lose control of the scooter. He said police are unsure if alcohol was involved.
Ms Martini is the fourth Australian to die in a scooter crash on a Bali road since April 2016.
Last year, 16-year-old Lochie Connaughton and 42-year-old Adrian Newton died just a month apart, both in scooter and motorbike accidents.
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman said it was providing consular assistance to the family of the woman and a man detained and released after the accident.
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DFAT continues to warn Australians about riding scooters in the Indonesian city.
“A number of foreigners, including Australians, have been killed or seriously injured in motorcycle accidents in tourist areas, particularly in Bali,” its SmartTraveller website states.
“Motorcycle riders and their passengers must wear a correctly fastened and approved helmet.”
