Back
Other

Two Separate Incidents Involving Stolen Vehicles Result in One Death, Multiple Injuries in NT and Victoria

Generated on: Last updated: 6 sources
View source

Two Dead in Separate Vehicle Incidents Involving Stolen Vehicles in NT and Victoria

A 16-year-old male in the Northern Territory and a 15-year-old male in Victoria have died following separate incidents involving allegedly stolen vehicles this week. Multiple others were injured.

Katherine, Northern Territory

Incident

A 16-year-old male died after a vehicle rolled over on the Stuart Highway north of Katherine at approximately 6 am on Tuesday. Three other occupants, all aged 14, were taken to hospital.

Background

Police believe the incident concluded a series of alleged offences that began at approximately 10:30 pm the previous night. A vehicle was allegedly stolen from a home on Zimin Drive in southwest Katherine. That vehicle was later reportedly dumped at Charles Darwin University, where two other cars were allegedly stolen.

According to police, the vehicles were observed driving erratically through the Katherine CBD. Occupants allegedly attempted to provoke police by baiting patrol vehicles and throwing objects at officers, causing damage to a police vehicle. Police stated they chose not to pursue the vehicles due to the dangerous driving.

Police Statement

"This incident is tragic and complex." — Acting Commander Mark Grieve

Acting Commander Mark Grieve stated that investigators are working to establish the full circumstances and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

Hoppers Crossing, Victoria

Incident

A multi-vehicle crash occurred on Derrimut Road at Hoppers Crossing around midnight on Friday. Police report that a grey Skoda sedan was involved in an incident with a Toyota sedan, which police have described as an apparent attempted carjacking.

The Skoda collided with the rear of the Toyota, then struck two additional vehicles (a Ford sedan and a Ford Ranger) before rolling multiple times. Police report the Skoda reached speeds of up to 180 km/h during the pursuit.

Injuries and Fatalities

  • A 15-year-old male, ejected from the Skoda, was pronounced deceased at the scene
  • A 16-year-old female was hospitalized with serious injuries, including two broken legs
  • A 17-year-old male sustained non-life-threatening injuries
  • A 14-year-old male later presented at a hospital and was taken into police custody on matters unrelated to the crash
  • Occupants of the other vehicles involved did not report injuries

Investigation

Police believe seven individuals were in the Skoda at the time of the crash. Four people reportedly fled the scene, and investigators are continuing efforts to identify them.

A 17-year-old male was arrested by Critical Incident Response Team detectives and has been charged with culpable driving causing death and additional driving offenses. He is currently remanded and scheduled to appear in a children's court.

Authorities recovered an edged weapon and a quantity of alcohol from the crash site inside the Skoda.

The Skoda is believed to have been stolen from a property in Maidstone between March 11 and 12.

"This incident had the potential to result in additional fatalities. These are the severe real-world consequences." — Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy

Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy of the Major Collision Investigation Unit emphasized the seriousness of the incident.

Call for Witnesses

Authorities in both jurisdictions have requested that any witnesses or individuals with dashcam or CCTV footage contact police.

  • Northern Territory incident: Contact police directly
  • Victoria incident: Contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Derrimut Road between Hogans and Heaths roads was closed to traffic following the incident.