The Western Australian woman who was killed in a tragic scooter accident in Bali on Monday was engaged to marry her boyfriend, who was driving at the time.
Sophia Martini, 27, had been returning from a friend’s wedding on the back of a scooter being driven by her boyfriend, Steele Nugent, 23, when the bike crashed, taking her life.
In a letter written by Ms Martini’s mother to Indonesian authorities begging them not to press charges against the man, it was revealed the pair were set to marry, The Courier Mail reported.
Sophia Martini (pictured) was killed in a horrific scooter crash in Bali, and her mother has written to Indonesian authorities, begging them to not press charges against her boyfriend
Denpasar Traffic Chief, Commissioiner Rahmawaty Ismail told News Corp the letter had revealed the heartbreaking circumstance of the pair’s now lost love.
‘They had [a] special relationship, based on her [Ms Martini’s] mother, they actually will be married,’ he said.
‘The victim’s mother had also sent a letter of statement asking us not to legally proceed with the case, and asking the body to be sent home soon.’
Mr Nugent spent one night in custody and is now a suspect in regards to Ms Martini’s death, but has been allowed to return home to Australia on the provision he returns if asked to.
Ms Martini and Steele Nugent (pictured) had been in the tourist hub of Kuta attending a friend’s wedding before the scooter they were riding spun out of control
Commissioiner Ismail told News Corp police were taking the letter into consideration.
If Indonesian police choose to proceed and Mr Nugent is found guilty, he could face up to six years behind bars and/or a fine of up to AU$1129.
The Commissioner explained to dismiss any possible charges against Mr Nugent would be a process called ‘alternative dispute regulation’ and would take place outside of a courtroom.
Ms Martini’s mother has also requested to be able to bring her 27-year-old daughter’s body home to Magnetic Island in Western Australia.
It is understood Mr Nugent, who escaped serious injury, had been riding the scooter (pictured) as Ms Martini sat behind him
Ms Martini and Mr Nugent had been celebrating a friend’s wedding in the tourist hub of Kuta before tragedy struck on Monday morning, Nine News reported.
Mr Nugent, who escaped serious injury, is understood to have been riding the scooter as Ms Martini sat behind him. Both were wearing helmets.
Ms Martini, from Magnetic Island in Queensland, was rushed to hospital with horrific head injuries and heavy blood loss, but was pronounced dead shortly later.
Tributes have poured in for the woman, who one friend described as ‘such a beautiful person taken from us way too soon’.
‘This was the life that hardly begun, no time to find your place in the sun, no time to do all you could have done,’ another wrote online.
‘You were here one moment, then you were gone. It will be the little things I remember, the smiles, the laughter… Til we meet again, love you.’
These images show the damage to the scooter after the incident in Bali on Monday morning
Maggie Island Bootcamp wrote a tribute on Facebook to Ms Martini, who attended morning classes.
‘We will all miss Soph terribly, a shining light of fun and always smiling. She particularly liked the most challenging of work outs, pushing herself and encouraging others along with her with that determined gentle spirit,’ the post said.
‘We love you Soph and will never forget you. Rest in Peace.’
The tragedy comes after 26-year-old Australian woman Ella Knights was killed in a scooter crash in North Kuta in April.
Police said a passer-by found Ms Knights lying face down in a gutter, with a Honda scooter found lying on its side nearby, the engine still running.
The tragedy comes after 26-year-old Australian woman Ella Knights was killed in a scooter crash in North Kuta in April
In 2016, Lochie Connaughton, from Orange Central West region of New South Wales, died when his scooter collided with a concrete separator in Kuta
In 2016, Lochie Connaughton, from Orange Central West region of New South Wales, died when his scooter collided with a concrete separator in Kuta.
Just weeks later, Melbourne firefighter Adrian Newton was killed when his scooter reportedly crashed into a garbage truck, also in Kuta.
On its SmartTraveller website, The Department of Foreign Affairs warns of the dangers of using motorbikes in Bali.
‘A number of foreigners, including Australians, have been killed or seriously injured in motorcycle accidents in tourist areas, particularly in Bali,’ the site reads.