Police have identified the two men who were killed in separate hit and runs

Police have released details about the two men killed in separate hit and run incidents across the Territory in the first few weeks of the year.

NT Police have identified the ages and genders of two pedestrians killed in recent crashes across the Territory.

Police identified the person killed at Mataranka, 4km south of the Mataranka Cemetery, on January 18 as a 22-year-old man.

The driver of the truck which struck him tested negative to alcohol at the time and had his bloods taken to hospital to identify for the presence of drugs.

Meanwhile, another pedestrian was killed on the Stuart Hwy near Jenkins Rd on February 3 after being struck by a vehicle.

The man was declared dead on police arrival and has been identified as a 34-year-old.

Detective Senior Sergeant Brendan Lindner said extensive analysis had gone into identifying the 22-year-old.

“The identification of the deceased from the Mataranka fatal crash was the result of extensive work by detectives and forensic officers,” he said.

“The 22-year-old man’s identity was confirmed from DNA analysis of samples provided by his family.”

The NT road toll is currently at eight for 2024, compared to one at this time last year.

Five people dead in horror night on Territory roads

Four people have died in a crash and a pedestrian has been killed in a separate incident in a horror night on Northern Territory roads.

At about 7pm on Saturday, emergency services received reports that a car carrying five people had crashed on a remote stretch of the Roper Hwy – about 85km from the Stuart Highway intersection – southwest of Mataranka.

When Northern Territory Police arrived at the scene a short time later, they found three females and one male who had died.

One male survivor suffered serious injuries and was taken to Katherine for treatment.

Formal identification of those who died is now underway and the major crash unit is investigating the circumstances of the crash.

“This is a significant loss of life,” Detective Senior Sergeant Brendan Lindner said.

“Detectives are expected to remain at the crash scene until late [on Sunday] afternoon.

“The Roper Highway remains closed and there are no diversions in place. Motorists are advised not to travel on the Roper Highway today.”

In a second fatal incident, a man was killed while walking on the Stuart Hwy near Noonamah at about 8pm on Saturday.

Police say a car struck a pedestrian near the intersection of Jenkins Road.

The driver stopped at the scene and contacted emergency services, but the man was declared dead on arrival.

The victim is also yet to be formally identified.

“Police believe the man was walking south and (was) alone at the time. He was wearing dark clothing,” Sergeant Lindner said.

“The driver stopped at the scene as lawfully required and contacted police. He tested negative to alcohol and had bloods taken for the purpose of screening for any drugs.”

Anyone with information that could assist either investigation is encouraged to contact police on 131 444.

Eight people have now lost their lives so far this year on NT roads, compared with just one this time last year.

Mark Williams was only 20-years-old when he was killed after a Toyota Land Cruiser crashed and rolled into waters near Dundee Downs on January 18, 2024.

Three of the deaths have been pedestrians, after a man was hit by a motorbike in Alice Springs on January 6 and a man was hit by a road train in Mataranka on January 18.

Also on January 18, promising rugby talent Mark Williams died after the car he was driving crashed and rolled into the water near Six Pack Creek boat ramp, at Dundee Downs.

A funeral for the beloved 20-year-old was held last week, with loved ones remembering him as a cheeky, friendly, outgoing and gifted young friend, brother and teammate.

The other occupant of the car was able to escape the submerged car and croc-infested waters without serious injury, and was taken to the Royal Darwin Hospital for treatment.

In another incident last month a Darwin family and a young driver were left fighting for their lives following a horrific head-on collision on the Arnhem Highway, near the Window to the Wetlands tourism attraction.

Last week police confirmed the 22-year-old driver, a 53-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman remained in a critical condition, while two children had been left with serious injuries.