Learner driver in terrifying ram attack on busy Darwin streets

A learner driver was terrorised last week when a driver in a HiLux allegedly repeatedly rammed his car. Read what happened.

A Darwin learner driver, his mother and a passenger in their vehicle were allegedly chased and rammed by the driver of another car in suburban Brinkin on Monday night.

The 16-year-old schoolboy was pulling out of the roundabout at the exit of Casuarina Beach when a white Toyota HiLux with a large bullbar began pursuing the youngster’s vehicle - also a white Toyota HiLux - at speed.

In scenes reminiscent of the Steven Spielberg film Duel, it is alleged the other vehicle repeatedly rammed and attempted to ram the fleeing youth’s car when he became trapped in Kuru Court in Brinkin.

When he was finally able to drive from Kuru Court, he was pursued along Ellengowan and Casuarina drives and then through the northern suburbs until they finally lost the menace somewhere in Casuarina.

His mother, who requested anonymity to protect her son, claimed the attack was unprovoked and had left the 16 year old frightened and upset.

Some of the damage to the learner driver’s vehicle.

She said she returned to the area after the incident to unsuccessfully doorknock residents and businesses for CCTV footage, and police had attended and spoken with her and her son about what happened.

She said after the incident the attack-vehicle was seen at a service station where they obtained its registration number and indicated to police they were prepared to make a statement, although they’re still waiting to complete that process.

She said she recontacted police on Thursday, but was still yet to give a formal statement.

The teenager hit a garbage bin trying to flee Kuru Court.

“My son was trapped in Kuru Court and was desperately trying to get the car out of there,” she said.

“He drove over a gutter and hit a bin but somehow managed to get the car out then they chased us down Brinkin Terrace, down to CDU and we finally lost them in the streets of Casuarina.

“The two kids were traumatised and my son hasn’t been able to sleep or function properly. All week’s been a write off.”

She said she was hoping to make a formal statement with police next week after being advised the investigative officer based at Darwin station was on leave.

“The little we could make out about the occupants of the HiLux was that they weren’t kids. They were adults and they were trying to hurt a learner driver,” she claimed.

A response from police to questions around the ramming incident had not been received by time-of-publication.