Alleged Durack hit and run driver Christian Mpongo faces court

The alleged driver in a fatal hit and run in Durack faced a Darwin court on Monday. Find out what happened.

Christian Mpongo allegedly fled the scene of fatal crash on Kirkland Rd in Durack on May 16, 2025. Picture: Facebook

The alleged driver in a fatal hit and run that took the life of a 36-year-old man in Durack faced court on Monday.

Christian Isendjola-ndjamba Mpongo, 38, fronted the Darwin Local Court to answer a string of charges which also include driving unlicensed in Durack on May 16.

It is alleged he fled the scene of the Kirkland Rd crash about 5pm, sparking a police manhunt that ended with his arrest on Saturday in Farrar.

Mr Mpongo was allegedly behind the wheel and sole occupant of a car that collided head-on with another car carrying three passengers.

A man, aged 36, was killed in the collision, and the other two male passengers, aged 80 and 35, were taken to hospital in a stable conditions.

Mr Mpongo was charged with a range of offences related to the alleged fatal hit-and-run in Durack on May 16, 2025. Picture: Facebook

The alleged driver was charged with multiple offences, including: hit and run driving causing death and serious harm, careless driving resulting in death and serious harm, and driving a vehicle while disqualified.

Six friends and family attended the courtroom to show their support for Mr Mpongo, with Judge Giles O’Brien-Hartcher thanking them for attending.

Judge O’Brien-Hartcher remanded Mr Mpongo in custody to appear again at Darwin Local Court on July 16 for a preliminary examination mention.

In the Northern Territory, the maximum penalty for a hit and run incident causing death is 10 years imprisonment.

Originally published as Alleged Durack hit and run driver Christian Mpongo faces court