Man charged over fatal Jabiru crash in court

A man who allegedly caused a crash that killed a 58-year-old man in Jabiru earlier this month while affected by alcohol has faced court for the first time.

One person has died and two more are injured after the vehicle they were in rolled in Jabiru. Picture: Che Chorley

UPDATE DECEMBER 14: A MAN who allegedly caused a crash that killed a 58-year-old man in Jabiru earlier this month while affected by alcohol has faced court for the first time.

Jeremy Robert Spiteri, 37, faced the Darwin Local Court on Tuesday charged with driving causing death, recklessly endangering life and drink-driving.

The four-wheel-drive Toyota station wagon police allege Spiteri was driving crashed and rolled at the intersection of Waterhouse Rd and Civic Dr overnight on December 4.

The 58-year-old passenger died at the scene while Spiteri and another passenger were taken to the local clinic with non-life-threatening injuries.

Jeremy Robert Spiteri leaves the Darwin Local Court on Tuesday. Picture: Jason Walls

Detective Senior Sergeant Brendan Lindner said at the time the death had “resulted in significant trauma for the man’s family and friends in the lead-up to Christmas”.

Spiteri will return to court on February 9.

UPDATE TUESDAY: A 37-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested over allegations he was drunk behind the wheel leading to the death of one of his passengers.

Northern Territory Police have arrested and charged the driver involved in a fatal crash in Jabiru last week.

Police alleged that investigations identified that at the time of the crash the 37-year-old man was intoxicated and travelling at speed when the fatal crash occurred.

Police alleged the man was attempting to negotiate a right turn from Waterhouse Road onto Civic Drive, in the centre of the township, when the vehicle rolled.

The crash resulted in the death of a 58-year-old man, who was an unrestrained rear passenger.

The two other occupants in the vehicle were treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Major Crash detectives at his home earlier on Tuesday.

He has since been charged with driving dangerously causing death, recklessly endangering serious harm, and driving under the influence of alcohol.

He was bailed to appear before Darwin Local Court on December 14.

Police said further charges related to drink driving are expected to be laid once forensic toxicological analysis is completed.

UPDATE 1.45PM: THE town of Jabiru is in shock after the death of a 58-year-old man in a car crash on Friday night.

One person in the town, who wanted to remain anonymous, said the scene of the crash at the corner of Waterhouse Rd and Civid Dr remained closed as police worked to investigate it.

“Police are still at the site, they’ve been investigating all day,” she said.

The woman said the crash happened along a main thoroughfare through Jabiru and thus had gotten a lot of attention.

“It’s been a huge shock, because they’ve blocked off the road,” she said.

“Lots of people have gone past and seen it and been asking questions.”

She said the vehicle at the scene was a “troopy”.

In a statement on Saturday afternoon, NT Police said a 37-year-old man, believed to be the driver, had been taken to the Royal Darwin Hospital for treatment.

Another passenger was treated at the local clinic. They confirmed that a 58-year-old man died at the scene.

Detective Senior Sergeant Brendan Lindner said early signs from the investigation indicated speed and alcohol had allegedly played a factor in the crash.

“Tragically, this is yet another preventable death occurring on NT roads and has resulted in significant trauma for the man’s family and friends in the lead-up to Christmas,” Sgt Lindner said.

“As we approach the festive season, this should serve as a warning to all who continue to drink drive and expose others and themselves to the risk of serious injury or death.”

EARLIER: A PASSENGER has died after the vehicle he was travelling in rolled along Civic Dr in Jabiru on Saturday morning.

Acting senior sergeant Rob Overall said police and ambulance crews were called to the scene about midnight, saying they were “advised three people were in a vehicle that had rolled”.

“One occupant remained in the vehicle. Police and clinic staff attended and located all three occupants,” Sgt Overall said.

“The rear seat passenger was deceased inside the vehicle.”

The two other occupants in the vehicle were being treated with non-life threatening injuries.

He said Major Crash detectives were now investigating the cause of the crash.

“The driver of the vehicle provided a positive indication for alcohol during a roadside test.”

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Originally published as Man charged over fatal Jabiru crash in court