A 17-year-old male was pronounced dead at the scene of a vehicle crash near Katherine early Sunday morning, NT Police said, as the Territory’s savage year of road deaths continues.

Police are investigating the circumstances of the fatal crash that occurred around 4:20am, roughly 30kms south of Katherine on the Stuart Highway.

The 17-year-old male driver was pronounced dead at the scene after emergency services arrived at an unknown time.

Police did not say if anyone else was in the car, or what factors they suspect may have led to the crash.

“A crime scene was established and there was a diversion in place for motorists travelling in the area,” a police statement said.

“The highway has since reopened.”

Police did not say whether the car belonged to the driver or if speed was a factor in the crash.

The Territory has now recorded 48 road deaths in 2024 to date, marking one of the worst years in recent memory. There were 31 deaths on NT roads last year.

NT Police launched their ‘Towards Zero Road Safety Action Plan 2024-28’, in July, in response to the alarming number of road deaths in the NT, pledging more police presence, random breath tests, roadside drug tests, and roving speed cameras.

A recent road safety report found the per capita road fatality rate in the NT is 3.2 times the national rate and the highest in Australia.