NT fatalities: Alice Springs man dead, eight others flee scene after stolen car rolls

NT Police are urging people to come forward after a “disappointing” lack of information had been revealed about the circumstances of a teenager’s death in an Alice Springs crash.

Updated, March 9: NT Police are urging people to come forward after a “disappointing” lack of information had been revealed about the circumstances of a teenager’s death in an Alice Springs crash.

Major Crash and Criminal Investigation Branch detectives, assisted by Strike Force Viper, are continuing investigations into the circumstances of the crash and offending that led up to it.

Police say a Toyota HiLux dual cab ute had been stolen from a caravan park along Palm Place, Alice Springs just before 2am Friday.

However, it didn’t stay on the road long as it overturned and crashed at about 3.40am while it attempted to turn right onto Railway Terrace, from Gregory Terrace.

Eight men exited the vehicle and fled the scene, however an 18-year-old – who CCTV captured sitting on the door in the open window space – was critically injured and later died.

NT Police Detective Senior Sergeant Brendan Lindner said a disappointing amount of people had come forward with information into the death of a teenager. Picture: Floss Adams.

Detective Senior Sergeant Brendan Lindner said very few people had come forward, despite the fact eight other men had been seen running from the scene.

“Despite the tragic circumstances of a young man losing his life, very little information has been provided by the public to assist with this investigation, which is disappointing,” he said.

“Eight young males showed a callous disregard for their critically injured friend and fled the scene.

“Abandoning the 18-year-old who was lying on the road in significant pain and unable to move while against the vehicle which was billowing smoke following the crash.

“Without any doubt, there are a significant number of people in Alice Springs who know the identity of those involved, particularly the driver, but also the passengers.

“We are calling on them to show some decency and respect to the deceased teenager and his family by assisting police to identify all those involved.”

Police urge anyone with information to contact 131 444 and quote reference number NTP2400024119 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 00.

Lead-up to fatal CBD crash revealed by police

Updated, March 8, 9.10am: The hours leading up to a young man’s death in a horrendous NT CBD ute rollover have been revealed – with footage showing he had been sitting in an open window before the vehicle crashed.

NT Police on Friday morning said that just before 2am, a Toyota HiLux dual cab ute, which had been registered in South Australia, was stolen from a caravan park along Palm Place at Ross.

The keys to the ute, police say, had been stolen from a cabin at the caravan park and the car was driven through the park’s boom gate to get out.

Little more than an hour and a half later, at about 3.40am, the ute “overturned and crashed” while attempting to turn right onto Railway Terrace, from Gregory Terrace.

The 18-year-old was taken to Alice Springs Hospital in a critical condition. Picture: Alex Treacy

CCTV captured the moment the car rolled on top of an 18-year-old man, who police say had been “seated on the door in the open window space” of the ute at the time of the crash.

Eight males exited the ute and fled the scene.

The 18-year-old, who was taken to Alice Springs Hospital in a critical condition, died as a result of his injuries.

Detective Senior Sergeant Brendan Linder confirmed Alice Springs Criminal Investigation Branch and Major Crash detectives were investigating.

“Police are appealing to anyone with information who can assist in the burglary and crash investigations, particularly to identify those involved, to contact police,” he said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, quoting reference number P24064882.

Fatal crash: Eight flee after man thrown from rolled stolen car

Initial, 8am: An 18-year-old man has died after he was thrown from a stolen car that rolled in the Alice Springs CBD overnight.

It is understood that the vehicle – reported as being stolen from a property in Ross – was seen driving through the CBD at about 3.40am before the accident which saw the man thrown from the vehicle.

Paramedics attended the scene, who rushed the man to Alice Springs Hospital.

St John Ambulance NT operations manager Craig Garraway told the NT News the man succumbed to his injuries a short time later.

It is reported that eight occupants fled the car following the crash. Picture: Action for Alice 2020

The 18-year-old has become the 12th person to die on Northern Territory roads in 2024.

At the same time last year, there had been two deaths.

A total of 31 people died on the roads in 2023.

It has been reported that CCTV of the incident showed eight other people exiting the crashed vehicle.

Alice Springs watch commander Mick Field asked for those people to reach out to police.

“I would urge any of those people involved, or any of the large group of people around the CBD, anyone that was a witness to the incident to come forward,” he said.

“Present yourself to the police station or call 131444.”

Originally published as NT fatalities: Alice Springs man dead, eight others flee scene after stolen car rolls