Driver charged over death of Mick O’Brien in Salisbury crash

A driver has been arrested and charged after a man was hit by a car as he crossed the road near his Salisbury home.

A serious accident has occurred in Adelaide’s northern suburbs leaving a pedestrian under a car., Emergency services are at the scene at the incident in Salisbury. Picture: 7 NEWS

Police have charged a man after a 64-year-old man was hit and killed while crossing the road near his Salisbury home at about 3pm Tuesday.

A 31-year-old Golden Grove man was arrested on Tuesday night and charged with causing death by dangerous driving after Mick O’Brien was hit by a Ford Focus at about 3pm.

Neighbours have remembered Mr O’Brien as a well-loved and intelligent ex-military and civilian skydiver.

Mr O’Brien’s friend and neighbour Vince Romeo said he witnessed the harrowing moment Mr O’Brien was hit by an orange Ford Focus near Valencia St and Mawson Rd.

“I was just about to water the lawn when I just heard this double thump, and I looked up and here’s this car sideways in the middle of the road while my friend Mick is pinned underneath it,” Mr Romeo said.

Mick O'Brien, 64, died after an accident at Salisbury. Picture: Supplied

“I just ran straight out there and just grabbed his hand and started screaming at my sister to call an ambulance.

“He was bleeding very heavily from the back of his head, his mouth and nose.

Mr Romeo said he had known Mr O’Brien for around 17 years said he called out for a trolley jack to lift the car up.

“But unfortunately, it was too late. The damage was already done,” Mr Romeo said.

“You know, it’s hard to explain because you’ll never forget that moment will you? I didn’t think I’d be there holding his head at his last moment,” he said.

“(The driver) jumped out the car and he was it was pretty distraught for the poor young fella. Yeah. He wasn’t in a good way,” Mr Romeo told The Advertiser.

“I’m just really dumbfounded. I just can’t get over. I’m still trying to work it out how he’s collected someone.”

Neighbour and friend Kay Gosnold said she knew Mr O’Brien for more than 40 years.

“He was the most intelligent man. He knew so much about everything,” Ms Gosnold said.

A serious accident has occurred in Adelaide’s northern suburbs leaving a pedestrian under a car. Emergency services are at the scene at the incident in Salisbury. Picture: 7 NEWS

The driver of the car was not injured but was taken to hospital as a precaution.

Multiple neighbours said they had raised issues to the council of “hoon” driving on the street

He was bailed to appear at the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on 20 May.

Mr O’Brien’s death was the 22nd on SA roads this year compared to 36 at this time in 2021.