19-year-old driver who allegedly rampaged through Coles Alice Springs carpark seeks bail
A driver who allegedly struck a pedestrian and crashed into several vehicles in a busy carpark has sought bail. WATCH VIDEO CAPTURED BY BYSTANDERS.
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UPDATE AUGUST 20: A YOUNG man who allegedly injured a woman in her 60s when he rampaged through a crowded supermarket carpark has applied for bail.
Dylan Palmer, 19, appeared via video link at Alice Springs Local Court on Thursday morning, accused of endangering lives when he allegedly crashed into at least six vehicles and ran a red light while heavily intoxicated earlier this week.
Palmer’s defence argued he should be allowed to return to his listed residence at Harts Range on bail because “there seems to be stability” there.
However, the prosecution disputed that fact saying Palmer’s primary caregiver had told police he doesn’t live at Harts Range and his “entire family connection is here in Alice Springs”.
The court heard material presented would be reviewed before a decision on whether to grant bail to Palmer. He remains remanded in custody.
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Palmer allegedly drove erratically through the Coles Alice Springs carpark, hitting multiple vehicles, including one that pinned a woman in her 60s between two cars. It’s understood her injuries were minor. Police allege he subsequently left the carpark and continued driving dangerously through Alice Springs.
“(He collided) with a number of vehicles as he left the carpark and has driven towards the Stuart Highway,” a police spokesman said.
“He has allegedly failed to stop at a red light on the Stuart Highway before he rear ended another vehicle.”
UPDATE AUGUST 18: NT Police have charged a 19-year-old man who was allegedly at the centre of the terrifying rampage through Alice Springs that left a woman in her 60s in hospital and at least six cars damaged.
It’s alleged the 19-year-old was intoxicated when he got behind the wheel of a Ford Falcon and entered the Coles Alice Springs carpark on Tuesday around 10.30am.
Police say a woman in her 60s was pinned between two vehicles after the alleged offender crashed into another vehicle in the carpark.
“He has continued to drive erratically, colliding with a number of vehicles as he left the car park and has driven towards the Stuart Highway,” a police spokesman said.
“He has allegedly failed to stop at a red light on the Stuart Highway before he rear ended another vehicle.
“His vehicle broke down on Palm Circuit where he was arrested by police.”
Police say he underwent a breath test following the arrest, where he returned a reading of 0.198 per cent, almost four times over the legal limit for a fully licensed driver.
The 19-year-old has been charged with:
- 2 x Not stop after crash
- 1 x Recklessly endanger serious harm
- 1 x High range BrAC
- 1 x Drive vehicle in manner dangerous
- 1 x Enter intersection against red light
- 1 x Drive a motor vehicle while unlicensed
He has been remanded to face Alice Springs Local Court on Wednesday.
Araluen MLA Robyn Lambley on Wednesday wrote a letter to the NT’s chief minister, police minister, and police commissioner, raising her concern over the “serious deterioration of law and order in Alice Springs”.
She said Tuesday’s driving incident, in addition to the alleged hit and run that occurred in early August, demonstrated the NT government needed to pay more attention to Alice Springs.
“In any other part of Australia these outrageous crimes would receive the immediate and
proactive attention of the government,” she said.
“It is now 24 hours after this latest horrific incident in Alice Springs and the community has heard nothing from any of you.
“This is not good enough. The people of Alice Springs deserve better.”
Ms Lambley called on the NT government to take further action to help reduce the crime rate in Central Australia.
“I ask you as the leaders of the Northern Territory, when it comes to safety, law and order, to
look deeper into the problems in Central Australia,” she said.
“The frequency and severity of these incidents is escalating.
“We need help.”
EARLIER: BYSTANDERS have captured the terrifying moment a driver rampaged through an Alice Springs supermarket carpark.
Police say a woman in her 60s was pinned between two vehicles after the alleged offender crashed into another vehicle at the Coles carpark on Tuesday morning. She was taken to Alice Springs Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The car was reported to be driving erratically and was seen to collide with up to five other vehicles in the carpark.
Shortly after, further reports indicated the alleged offender was involved in another crash on corner Gregory Terrace and Hartley Street.
Minutes later, policed received reports the same vehicle had been abandoned on the Ross Highway in Palm Circuit.
Police attended and two men, aged 19 and 24, were arrested at the scene shortly thereafter.
Detectives from Regional Crime Division have carriage of the investigation
Police have asked members of the public to come forward if they have footage or additional information.
EARLIER: A DRIVER’S dangerous and destructive rampage through the streets of Alice Springs has been brought to an end after police arrested the vehicle’s two occupants in Palm Circuit Tuesday morning.
An NT Police spokesman said they received reports of a vehicle entering the Coles Alice Springs carpark, where it crashed into at least five vehicles and struck a female pedestrian.
The woman is being treated by emergency services. It’s understood her injuries are non-life-threatening.
The spokesman said the driver then left the carpark, and was subsequently involved in another vehicle collision a few hundred metres away, on corner Gregory Terrace and Hartley Street.
The vehicle then fled the scene. Two young men were later apprehended by police on the Ross Highway in Palm Circuit, about 5km away.
Investigations were continuing at Coles at 12.30pm, with parts of the carpark cordoned off and a heavy police presence.
Police have asked motorists to avoid the area if possible.
The two alleged offenders remain in custody.
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