C & R Constructions faces $3.55m fine after L-plater’s pedestrian crash

A Darwin construction company faces millions in damages after their L-plater employee allegedly crashed into two pedestrians, leaving one in a critical condition and killing both their dogs.

NT Police Major Crash Investigation Unit investigates a pedestrian crash in Bees Creek. A woman was critically injured and a man suffered minor injuries. Their two dogs were killed in the crash. Picture: Sierra Haigh

A Darwin construction company has been charged after one of its employees allegedly crashed into two pedestrians and their dogs.

An NT WorkSafe spokesperson in a statement on Wednesday alleged the C & R Constructions driver was “gifted” the company vehicle for his use and allowed to drive unsupervised even though he only held a learner’s licence.

But in a horror twist of events, a 49-year-old woman was left in a critical condition and her two dogs, Gizmo and Acada, were killed after the driver allegedly crashed into them on Bees Creek Rd on February 21, 2023.

A second pedestrian suffered minor injuries as a result of the crash.

NT Police Detective Sergeant Jeshua Kelly at the time said the driver was “fine, if emotionally scarred” and had tested negative for alcohol and drugs.

NT Police Major Crash Investigation Unit investigates a pedestrian crash in Bees Creek. A woman was critically injured and a man suffered minor injuries. Their two dogs were killed in the crash. Picture: Sierra Haigh

The NT WorkSafe spokesperson said the company had been charged with four breaches of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and could be forced to pay fines worth up to $3.55 million.

The spokesperson said C & R Constructions had been charged with failing to ensure the health and safety of a worker. and failing to ensure the health and safety of other road users and pedestrians using Bees Creek Rd.

The company was also charged for failing to notify NT WorkSafe of the incident and failing to ensure a work environment without risks to health and safety, a safe systems of work, the safe use of plant and the provision of supervision.

The spokesperson said the matter would be heard in the Darwin Local Court on October 15.

Originally published as C & R Constructions faces $3.55m fine after L-plater’s pedestrian crash