Charges Laid Over Hit-and-Run After Second Deadly Crash on Same NT Road Within Days – May 17, 2025

Incident Overview
A second fatal crash occurred on Kirkland Road in Durack , Northern Territory, just days after another deadly collision on the same road. A 36-year-old man died in a hit-and-run incident on Friday, May 17, 2025 , at approximately 5:00 pm .

The crash involved two vehicles, with the second car fleeing the scene before authorities arrived. The deceased man was traveling with two others—a 35-year-old man and an 80-year-old man —both of whom were hospitalized in stable condition.

This tragic incident follows the death of a woman on the same road just two days earlier, on Wednesday, May 15, 2025 , when two cars collided, leaving occupants trapped and severely injured. Emergency services had to cut them from the wreckage.

A 38-year-old man has been arrested and charged over the hit-and-run crash. He faces seven offenses, including careless driving causing death , hit-and-run causing death , and driving while disqualified .

“That is now two families who have lost a loved one.”
— NT Police Detective Sergeant Richard Musgrave

Location and Time

• Crash Date: Friday, May 17, 2025 (approximately 5:00 pm).
• Location: Kirkland Road, Durack, north of Darwin’s satellite city Palmerston, Northern Territory.

Vehicles Involved

• A vehicle carrying three occupants: the deceased 36-year-old man, a 35-year-old man, and an 80-year-old man.
• A second vehicle, whose driver fled the scene immediately after the collision.

Injuries/Fatalities

• Fatality:
  • The 36-year-old male passenger in the first vehicle was declared dead at the scene.
• Non-Life-Threatening Injuries:
  • The 35-year-old man and 80-year-old man in the same vehicle were hospitalized in stable condition.

Emergency Response

• Police and paramedics responded promptly to the scene after reports of a serious two-vehicle crash involving a hit-and-run.
• The deceased man was confirmed dead at the scene, while the other two occupants of his vehicle were assessed and transported to hospital for treatment.

“Sadly our members have now been on scene to the second fatal on Kirkland Rd within two days.”
— NT Police Detective Sergeant Richard Musgrave

Legal Proceedings

• A **38-year-old man** was arrested without incident on **Saturday, May 18, 2025**, and charged with seven offenses, including:
  • Careless driving causing death.
  • Hit-and-run causing death.
  • Driving while disqualified.
• He is scheduled to appear in **Darwin Local Court** on **July 16, 2025**.

Police Investigation
NT Police are investigating both crashes on Kirkland Road , focusing on:

• The sequence of events leading to each collision, including the hit-and-run incident on Friday.
• Road conditions, visibility, and potential contributing factors such as speed, distraction, or impairment.
• Dashcam or CCTV footage from nearby properties or vehicles traveling on **Kirkland Road** around the times of the incidents.

Authorities have expressed concern about the frequency of serious crashes on this stretch of road and are urging drivers to exercise caution.

Community Impact
These back-to-back fatalities have deeply affected the Durack community , particularly given the proximity of the two crashes. The woman killed on Wednesday was the 12th person to lose their life on NT roads this year, and the 36-year-old man became the 15th .

Detective Sergeant Richard Musgrave emphasized the devastating impact on two families and called for greater road safety awareness.

Appeal for Information
Anyone who witnessed either crash or has dashcam/CCTV footage of Kirkland Road, Durack around:

• Wednesday, May 15, 2025 (earlier fatal crash).
• Friday, May 17, 2025 (hit-and-run crash).

is urged to contact authorities:

• Crime Stoppers NT: Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersnt.com.au.
• Witness Reporting: Contact NT Police via local station or submit anonymous tips through the official website.