A series of incidents between two families, including one in which a man was struck by a vehicle on McMillans Road on Saturday morning, is being investigated by Northern Territory Police.
Initial investigations indicate the two family groups were involved in a physical altercation in which sticks and an axe were used causing superficial injuries to a number of people. One family group is then alleged to have driven a stolen motor vehicle at the other group, striking one person who then fled the scene.
Members of Darwin Traffic Operations arrived moments after the incident and pursued the vehicle, which crashed into a fence. The occupants of the car fled the scene.
Detective Senior Sergeant Brett Cottier said the intervention by the traffic unit prevented further harm to other road users.
“The stolen vehicle was driving in such an erratic manner that it’s thanks to the quick response of the traffic unit intervening that has ensured no one was seriously injured or killed,” said Det SSGT Cottier
Police resources including members of Darwin Traffic Operations, General Duties, Crime Scene Examination Unit and Detectives from Crime Command have been utilised throughout the investigation.
“Detectives from Crime Command have been investigating this incident since the early hours of Saturday morning and have continued their enquiries throughout the weekend,” said Det SSGT Cottier
“The incident appears to have rolled from one scene to the next, with police identifying two more people with injuries suffered from earlier altercations and a trail of destruction caused by the stolen vehicle damaging a hotel, the front of a business and a number of objects in the front carpark.”
A number of persons of interest have been identified by police, and investigations continue. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information which would assist with investigations is urged to contact police on 131 222 or report it via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and reference PROMIS 10036477.
