Eighteen-year-old man dead after car crash into tree in Alice Springs

Police are investigating what caused a fatal crash that claimed the life of a young driver, as the NT road toll approaches last year’s tally just five months into 2024.

Northern Territory Police generic imagery. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

A man has died after crashing his car at Alice Springs, with police suspecting drugs and alcohol as the cause.

At 10.45pm on Friday, police and ambulance crews were called to Bougainvilia Ave in East Side after bystanders reported a car having smashed into a tree.

The 18-year-old male driver was trapped in the vehicle, and firefighters worked to free him as ambulance crews attempted first aid.

The man was rushed to Alice Springs Hospital but died of his injuries overnight.

In a statement, police said initial investigations suggested alcohol and drugs “may be contributing factors” to the crash, as investigations continue into the circumstances.

The teenager’s death marks 25 lives lost on NT roads this year, compared to just four at this time in 2023 and 31 in total.