Driver involved in fatal Pinelands crash was under the influence of cannabis, police allege
A pedestrian who died in Pinelands on Wednesday night was struck by a driver under the influence of cannabis, police have alleged.
Police & Courts
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A PEDESTRIAN who died in Pinelands on Wednesday night was struck by a driver under the influence of cannabis, police have alleged.
The crash occurred about 7.30pm on inbound lanes of the Stuart Highway near McKinnon Rd.
NT Police Detective Senior Sergeant Brendan Lindner said a woman “was struck by several vehicles in quick succession on a dimly lit section of the road”.
All three drivers stopped as lawfully required and awaited police.
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Police said two drivers failed roadside saliva indication drug tests and were subsequently arrested for confirmation drug testing.
A 24-year-old female driver was later confirmed to have cannabis within her system and was immediately suspended from driving for 24 hours.
She was released from custody pending further investigation.
Major Crash detectives are appealing for any witnesses to come forward to assist with the investigation.
“The pedestrian was struck in the inbound lanes of Stuart Highway in Pinelands, near the turn-offs to McKinnon Rd on the left and Mander Rd on the right,” Sergeant Lindner said.
“We are appealing to all motorists travelling through Pinelands around 7.30pm, who saw either the crash or the female pedestrian prior to the crash.
“She is described as middle-aged, Indigenous and wearing a brightly patterned dress.
“Anyone who travelled through the area with dashcam footage between 7pm and 7.45pm is urged to contact police on 131 444.”
Traffic reopened on the Stuart Highway in Pinelands around 4am on Thursday after being closed for most of the night.
The death brings the NT road toll to 19 this year, which is up 58 per cent from this time in 2020.
At least seven of those fatalities have been Indigenous people, with more lives lost in rural areas than urban areas.
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