Lewis Bennett speaks out after watching his friend, Nick Darling, die after an alleged fatal hit-run crash at Morphett Vale

An Adelaide man has told of his horror after watching his friend die in an alleged hit-run crash at Morphett Vale as figures reveal a “concerning” rise in fatal hit-runs this year.

An increase in the number of fatal hit-run crashes in SA in 2021 has prompted a strong message from the state’s top traffic cop.

There have already been five this year, compared to an annual average of three over the past five years.

In the most recent incident, father-to-be Nick Darling was killed when the ute he was a passenger in was allegedly rammed by a Ford on Flaxmill Rd, Morphett Vale, on July 22.

The driver, Michael Henley, allegedly fled the scene.

Lewis Bennett, the driver of the ute, said he was still haunted after watching his friend die next to him.

Father-to-be Nick Darling died when the car he was a passenger in was allegedly rammed by the driver of another car at Morphett Vale in July. Pictures: supplied

“I was yelling to Nick and there was no reply from him … I got out (of the car) quick and went to him, and noticed he wasn’t going to make it,” Mr Bennett said.

“I almost dropped dead myself, I never wanted to see something like that in my life.”

Mr Bennett, 22, of Morphett Vale, is still recovering from leg injuries, and the trauma of losing his best mate.

“The thing I miss most about him is his smile … he was the best guy, he never hurt anybody and wanted most to be people’s friend,” he said.

He was devastated Mr Darling will never meet his baby, who is due to arrive later this year.

Mr Henley was charged with multiple offences including causing death by dangerous driving, and manslaughter.

Joshua Rossborough, 19, an alleged passenger in the Ford, was also charged with the same offences.

While not commenting on the Nick Darling case specifically, Superintendent Bob Gray, officer in charge of SA Police’s Traffic Services Branch, said he was extremely disappointed in the upward trend of fatal hit-run crashes.

“The reality is if you’re involved in a collision you've got an obligation to stop and exchange particulars,” Supt Gray said.

IIsiah Hodshon was killed in a hit-run crash at Port Augusta. Picture supplied by family.

Supt Gray said people should consider the victim’s family before fleeing the scene of a crash.

“Not only they have to deal with the loss of life, they have to deal with the fact that a person didn't stop and render any assistance … it’s extremely difficult upsetting for the families of these loved ones," he said.

Two killer drivers from separate incidents over the past five years still remain at large, including one involved in a crash at Stirling North, near Port Augusta, on May 30.

Isiah Hodshon, 20, was hit and killed while walking on the Augusta Highway.

“We certainly had access to footage in both directions close to the accident scene, and we’ve investigated every single one of those vehicles that were there, but unfortunately between where the fatality occurred, and where the cameras are there’s turn off points,” Supt Gray said.

Superintendent Bob Gray from Traffic Services has urged South Australian drivers to think about the victim’s family before contemplating fleeing the scene of a crash. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Another driver remains on the run after hitting and killing a 29-year-old Nullabor Plains man at Port Augusta on February 21, 2020.

The man was left for dead on Rogers St and the driver was never caught.

Supt Gray urged anyone with information on either crashes to come forward and said the investigations are ongoing.

“Somebody will know something, and I would appeal for them to come forward to the police and provide the information, if you have any, that are going to help us identify the drivers of those vehicles,” he said.

The penalties for a driver’s first offence in a fatal hit-run crash is a maximum 15 years imprisonment, and a minimum 10 years loss of licence.

Anyone with information to assist ongoing investigations should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.