The driver of a vehicle that crashed in the Northern Territory, killing a 16-year-old boy, allegedly moved the car before setting it on fire.
A 24-year-old man was later charged with murder. The fatal accident happened in Palumpa, about 360 kilometers from Darwin.
The other occupants of the vehicle were injured. The boy who died was reportedly ejected from his seat.
According to the police, 10 passengers, including seven men, fled the scene after the ute crashed.
The driver was apprehended on Wednesday evening. He was charged with various offenses, including causing death, leaving the scene of an accident, and breaking a suspended sentence.
Most of the passengers were children. The police noted that most of the people in the ute were in the tray when the accident occurred.
According to Brendan Lindner, a detective with the police, the driver had been under the influence of liquor when the accident occurred, and further charges are expected following the forensic analysis of the substance.
The 24-year old suspect was released from custody and was scheduled to appear in court on March 8.
Meacham King, the watch commander of Darwin, noted that the vehicle was on its way to the community’s airstrip before the incident occurred.
There have been 52 deaths this year in the Northern Territory, which is about a 50 percent increase from the 35 recorded in 2021.
Lindner noted that the police would like to remind all motorists to drive safely.