A young Australian driver has avoided prison after being sentenced over the death of 20-year-old Pakistani international student Samia Malik, who was struck by a car in Adelaide’s north-east last year.
Ashton Friend, 20, of Banksia Park, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless use of a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident following the fatal crash on North East Road in Hillcrest at about 11pm on May 6, 2025.
South Australia’s District Court heard that CCTV showed Malik had been kneeling on the road for several minutes before she was struck. Judge Anne Barnett said her hands appeared to be in what looked like a praying motion. The court was not given an explanation for why she was on the road.
Friend was driving home from his girlfriend’s house and told the court he had not seen Malik or realised he had hit a person. His lawyer said he heard a noise and initially believed he might have struck an animal. The court also heard that Friend was not speeding or affected by alcohol or drugs at the time.
Friend did not stop at the scene and was identified by police about a week later. He later apologised to Malik’s family in court, saying he was deeply sorry and would have to live with the consequences of his actions.
Malik’s sister, Qudisya Malik, told the court that her family continued to struggle with her death and that every major milestone reminded them of the young woman who was no longer there.
Judge Barnett sentenced Friend to one year, three months and 29 days in prison, with a non-parole period of eight months. However, the sentence was suspended after Friend entered a two-year bond requiring him to remain of good behaviour, meaning he will not serve the prison term unless the suspension is revoked.
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The case has drawn attention to the death of Malik, who had travelled to Australia as an international student and was only 20 when her life was cut short.
