A driver involved in a hit-and-run incident has expressed remorse to the family of his victim during court proceedings, revealing he was unaware that he had struck a person when he fled the scene of the accident in the northeastern part of Adelaide.
Ashton Friend, aged 20 and residing in Banksia Park, collided with Samia Malik, an international student who had been kneeling on North East Road at Hillcrest prior to the incident in May of the previous year.
During the court session, it was established that Friend was neither under the influence of drugs or alcohol nor was he exceeding speed limits at the time of the accident. Both the prosecution and defense concurred that a suspended prison sentence would be a suitable punishment for Friend.
Friend, who fatally injured Malik, conveyed his sorrow in court, indicating that he could “only imagine the indescribable pain” he inflicted on her family. The victim’s sister also addressed the court, sharing her deep anguish over losing “a remarkable young woman.”
On the night of the incident, which occurred around 11 PM on May 6, 2022, Friend struck Malik, who had reportedly been kneeling on the road for approximately four minutes before the collision.
Jane Abbey KC, Friend’s defense attorney, described the case as “very unusual,” explaining that her client had neither seen Malik nor had any realization that he had hit her while driving home from his girlfriend’s house. Abbey stated that Friend was checking his rearview mirror but failed to notice Malik, and initially thought he had heard a noise caused by hitting an animal.
The defense further noted that the damage to Friend’s vehicle was minimal, reinforcing his belief that he had not struck a person. No clarification was provided regarding why Malik was kneeling on the road at that time.
Abbey mentioned that within days of the accident, Friend became aware of the incident through news reports but was left in a “state of paralysis,” unable to process what he had done. Law enforcement identified and arrested him a week later.
Throughout the proceedings, Friend accepted full responsibility for his actions and pleaded guilty “at the earliest opportunity” to charges of causing death through careless driving and leaving the scene of a fatal accident.
During his statement in court, Friend expressed his profound regret, stating he was “deeply sorry” for the loss inflicted upon Malik’s family, as well as for his “actions and inactions” that night. He acknowledged that no apology could reverse the tragedy but emphasized that he would carry the weight of his actions for the rest of his life.
Friend articulated his sorrow for the life lost and the trauma experienced by Malik’s family, affirming that he did not hold anyone else responsible and accepted complete accountability for the incident. He also apologized to the court and his own family for the turmoil his actions had caused.
In a victim impact statement delivered by prosecutor Frank Niemann, Malik’s sister, Qudisya Malik, conveyed the family’s ongoing struggle with grief and heartbreak following their devastating loss. She remarked, “Grief has become part of my everyday life, and there are moments where the pain feels just as fresh as it did on the day we lost her.” She highlighted the void left by her sister’s absence during significant life events, emphasizing that nothing could replace the loss of Samia, a cherished daughter, sister, and friend.
Niemann noted that prior to the accident, other drivers had swerved to avoid Malik, and a police vehicle trailing Friend managed to stop without incident. He pointed out that it took extensive police effort to locate Friend after the crash, as he did not report himself to authorities even after realizing he was involved in the incident.
Both the prosecution and defense reached an agreement that a suspended jail term would be an appropriate sentence, which will be determined in the upcoming month.
