A Sydney institution has rallied around its much-loved chef after his wife was put in an induced coma when she was hit by a car.

Nurhayati Pamungkas was heading to pick up her two children from school on Tuesday afternoon when she was one of two pedestrians hit by a Toyota Tarago while walking on a pedestrian crossing in Lakemba in the city’s south-west.

She suffered critical head injuries and was rushed to Liverpool Hospital, where she remains in an induced coma in intensive care.

The Daily Mail understands that it could be another week before she wakes up.

The other injured pedestrian – a man in his 60s, who was on his way home from midday prayers at a nearby mosque – was also critically injured and rushed to St George Hospital.

Ms Pamungkas’ husband Agung is a chef at Dicks Hotel Balmain and Paddington bar Apache Salut, where he has worked for more than five years.

Dicks Hotel owner Elia Economou set up a GoFundMe so Mr Pamungkas can focus on his wife’s long road to recovery and care for their two young 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 says.

‘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.

‘The days ahead are filled with uncertainty. What isn’t uncertain is that they’re going to need help.

‘If you’re able to donate, no matter the amount, it will help ease the financial burden and allow Agung to focus on what matters most.’

Hotel staff told the Daily Mail on Friday that they are grateful for the public support received so far – raising almost $30,000 within the first 24 hours.

‘The community has been great, we just want to help him and the family,’ they said.

Three other pedestrians who were also crossing the road at the time of the incident were not injured.

Shocked witnesses told Seven News the Toyota ran through a red light before it drove into pedestrians.

They alleged the car then crashed into two vehicles stopped at the lights on the other side of the road. 

The driver – an 82-year-old man – was also taken to hospital for further assessment and mandatory testing.

A NSW Police spokesperson told the Daily Mail that inquiries into the crash continue. No charges have been laid.

Anyone with information or dashcam footage is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers