Wadeye: Dennis Parmbuk charged with hit and run after fleeing from fatal crash which claimed brother

A young driver who allegedly ran from a horror crash which killed his older brother has made a bid for freedom in court.

Dennis John Parmbuk appeared before Judge Stephen Geary in the Darwin Local Court on Wednesday, five days after a fatal crash 5km south of Wadeye, in the Daly Waters region. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

A young driver who allegedly ran from a horror crash which killed his older brother will now miss the birth of his child as he waits behind bars.

Dennis John Parmbuk, 26, appeared before Judge Stephen Geary in the Darwin Local Court on Wednesday, five days after a fatal crash 5km south of Wadeye.

Police have alleged Mr Parmbuk was at the wheel of a car involved in a single vehicle rollover about 5.45pm, November 30.

Wadeye police members and local clinic staff attended the crash, but a 28-year-old man passed away at the scene.

A 10-year-old boy was flown to Royal Darwin Hospital as a precaution after he suffered minor injuries.

A 23-year-old and 20-year old were also involved in the crash, but had no reported injuries.

Police said a preliminary investigation suggested alcohol, fatigue and a lack of seatbelts were factors in the crash.

It was alleged in the wake of the fatal crash which killed his older brother, Mr Parmbuk ran away.

Mr Parmbuk was charged with hit and run causing death, alongside driving an unregistered, uninsured car while unlicensed.

Judge Stephen Geary briefly considered a bail application for Mr Parmbuk to Open House, a specialist bail accommodation service.

His lawyer warned that without bail, Mr Parmbuk would miss the birth of his child as his pregnant partner due to give birth next week in Darwin Royal Hospital.

However, Mr Geary noted that at the time of the crash Mr Parmbuk was on a suspended sentence, which barred him from drinking any alcohol.

After just five minutes of deliberation, Mr Geary rejected the 26-year-old’s bail application due to the seriousness of the hit and run charge.

Mr Parmbuk’s matter was adjourned to February 3, 2025.