Brendon Liddy charged with dangerous, careless, drunk driving over Palumpa fatal ute crash

Alcohol mixed with dangerous driving in a ute packed with nine passengers allegedly cost a 16-year-old Territory boy his life.

Brendon Thomas Liddy, 24, appeared in Darwin Local Court over allegations he crashed a ute packed with friends into a tree at Nganmarriyanga, Palumpa.Â

A drunken ride down a dirt road as children clung to the tray of a ute allegedly cost a 16-year-old boy his life, a court has heard.

Brendon Thomas Liddy, 24, appeared for the first time in Darwin Local Court on Wednesday over allegations he crashed a ute packed with friends into a tree at Nganmarriyanga, Palumpa.

Police have alleged Liddy was drunk, unlicensed and driving dangerously in the remote community when the ute crashed on Wednesday, December 28, killing a 16-year-old boy.

Police allege 10 men and boys, aged between nine and 27, were packed onto the single-cab ute as it drove through the remote community, 353km southwest of Darwin.

It was alleged most of the people in the ute were children, who were riding in the tray.

When the ute hit the tree, the 16-year-old boy was allegedly flung from the 4WD.

Liddy allegedly drove off with seven others in tow, leaving behind the boy’s body and another uninjured person.

Police initially alleged the 24-year-old later set the vehicle alight, destroying it in a fire.

Brendon Thomas Liddy, 24, appeared in Darwin Local Court over allegations he crashed a ute packed with friends into a tree at Nganmarriyanga, Palumpa.

Police on patrol spotted the two young men, and took them to the clinic where the 16-year-old was declared deceased.

Liddy was arrested the next day, and granted bail.

The 24-year-old appeared before Judge Ben O’Loughlin on Wednesday facing 10 distinct charges, including drunk driving, careless and dangerous driving, hit and run causing death, not stopping after a crash and aggravated recklessly endangering life.

Liddy was also hit with more minor traffic offences for allegedly not having a number plate attached and driving while unlicensed.

His matter was adjourned to April 12 for a preliminary examination mention.

Originally published as Brendon Liddy charged with dangerous, careless, drunk driving over Palumpa fatal ute crash