Northern Territory police will allege the driver of a ute carrying 10 people at the time of a crash that killed a 16-year-old boy moved the car afterwards and set it alight.
The 24-year-old man was arrested and charged after the fatal crash in Palumpa, 360 kilometres south-west of Darwin, on Wednesday afternoon.
A 16-year-old boy was reportedly ejected from the ute's tray and suffered fatal injuries, while another occupant of the vehicle was also injured.
Police will allege that 10 males, aged between nine and 27, were in the ute at the time of the crash, with the driver and seven other passengers fleeing the scene afterwards.
The alleged driver was found and arrested on Wednesday evening and charged with driving a motor vehicle causing death, destruction of evidence, leaving the scene of accident and a breach of his suspended sentence.
A majority of the ute's occupants, mostly children, were travelling in the ute's tray at the time, police allege.
Detective Senior Sergeant Brendan Lindner said police believed the alleged driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
"Further charges are expected, pending forensic toxicological analysis," he said.
The 24-year-old alleged driver has been released from custody and is due to face court on March 8, 2023.
Speaking on ABC Radio Darwin this morning, Darwin watch commander Meacham King said the ute had been travelling to the community's airstrip when the incident unfolded.
There have now been 52 deaths on Northern Territory roads this year, compared to 35 in 2021, representing a nearly 50 per cent increase.
Senior Sergeant Lindner reiterated calls for motorists to drive safely and to the conditions.
His appeal comes as wet weather continues to bear down on much of the Northern Territory, associated with former tropical cyclone Ellie and the monsoon.
