Brendon Thomas Liddy, 24, fights charges over fatal Palumpa crash

A 24-year-old charged with crashing a ute packed with his friends into a tree, killing a teenager, says he was not the one driving.

Brendon Thomas Liddy, 24, denies allegations he crashed a ute packed with friends into a tree at Nganmarriyanga, Palumpa.

The man accused of driving a ute that crashed and killed a 16-year-old boy says he was not the one behind the wheel.

Brendon Thomas Liddy, 24, was charged after allegedly crashing a Toyota LandCruiser packed with nine friends into a tree at Nganmarriyanga, Palumpa, on December 28.

When his case was heard at the Darwin Local Court on Wednesday, his lawyer Julie Franz said Liddy would be fighting the allegations.

“He denies driving … this will go to trial,” she said.

It was alleged many of the passengers – aged between nine and 27 – were sitting in the ute’s open tray, and when they hit the tree the 16-year-old’s body was flung from the vehicle.

Liddy allegedly drove off, leaving the boy’s body and another uninjured passenger behind on the road.

Police came across the pair during a patrol and took them to the local clinic where the 16-year-old was declared deceased.

Judge Alan Woodcock found there was enough preliminary evidence to commit Liddy to a Supreme Court trial, where he will stand charged with recklessly endangering the lives of his passengers, failing to stop to give any assistance after the crash and dangerous driving causing death.

Liddy was also charged with more minor driving offences which will be dealt with at the lower court, including drunk driving, driving unlicensed and not having a number plate attached.

He will return to court on October 19.

Originally published as Brendon Thomas Liddy, 24, fights charges over fatal Palumpa crash