Alleged killer driver in Morphett Vale hit-run turns himself in

The alleged killer driver in a Morphett Vale hit-run crash has turned himself in to police, three days after the incident that left 20-year-old Nick Darling dead.

The alleged killer driver involved in a hit-run crash that left Nick Darling, 20, dead, has turned himself in to police.

Following an appeal from police, Michael Henley presented at Christies Beach Police Station about 9am Friday, and was arrested and charged with manslaughter, causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of a crash, and failing to comply with the Emergency management Act.

He was refused bail to appear in Christies Beach Magistrates Court on Monday.

Police say a silver Ford, allegedly driven by Henley, crashed into a white Toyota HiLux on Flaxmill Rd on Tuesday night about 9.50pm. The passenger in the Toyota, Mr Darling, of Sellicks Beach man, died at the scene.

Police allege Henley did not stop on the impact of the crash, and that they found the car burnt out in a gully off the Southern Expressway at Reynella.

Michael Henley is alleged to have been the driver of the Ford. Photo: SA Police

The driver of the Toyota, Lewis Bennett, 22, was taken to the Flinders Medical Centre where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Police launched an investigation and arrested the passenger of the Ford, a Morphett Vale man, 19, about 11.30am Wednesday.

He has been charged with manslaughter, causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of a crash, failing to truly answer, impeding investigation, making a false report and failing to comply with the Emergency Management Act.

He was refused police bail and was due to appear in the Christies Beach Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Nick Darling was remembered by his girlfriend, and the mother of his unborn child, Ruby Dayman, as a gentleman with a heart of gold.

A man has been killed in a hit-run crash at Morphett Vale. The driver is on the run @theTiserpic.twitter.com/G2CDiYuhMM

— Dixie Sulda (@dixie_sulda) July 21, 2021

Flaxmill Rd was closed for eight hours while Major Crash officers examined the scene.

The death takes the number of lives lost on South Australian roads this year to 58 compared with 52 at the same time last year.

Paul Mason, who lives near the crash scene, said he heard loud bangs and thought someone had hit his property.

“I looked out the window and saw the car on its side,” Mr Mason said. “I heard the car roll, and I heard the other car keep going like a bat out of hell.”

“It’s a tragic thing unfortunately (that someone died).”

Mr Mason said neighbours were in shock.

He said the road was notorious for speedsters, and speeds should be reduced at the nearby school.

Another woman, who did not wish to provide her name, said she heard loud bangs around the time of the crash.

“It sounded like a very big bang, it was very horrible, I’ve never heard anything like it, she said.”

“We just saw a glimpse … it (the car) was already on its side.”

“Everyone (neighbours) was very sorry to hear it and see it.”

Sean Ellard heard the crash and saw flashing lights through his window on Tuesday night.

“It was just like a scraping of car on the road,” Mr Ellard said.

He said burnouts were normal for Flaxmill Rd.

“I hear them at night, they wake me up at night they’re going that fast.”

He said speed cameras should be installed as a deterrent.