1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,600 Speaker 1: We know that detectives from the Major Crash Unit are 2 00:00:02,640 --> 00:00:06,680 Speaker 1: continuing to investigate a fatal crash in Palmerston earlier this month, 3 00:00:07,160 --> 00:00:09,360 Speaker 1: which claimed the life of a thirty six year old 4 00:00:09,360 --> 00:00:14,000 Speaker 1: local man, Stephen Sin. Two other men aged eighty two, 5 00:00:14,440 --> 00:00:19,520 Speaker 1: Steve's dad and thirty five. His brother was seriously injured 6 00:00:19,600 --> 00:00:23,120 Speaker 1: in that two vehicle crash on Kirkland Road in Durak 7 00:00:23,600 --> 00:00:26,920 Speaker 1: on May sixteen. Now, the driver of the other vehicle 8 00:00:27,120 --> 00:00:30,720 Speaker 1: allegedly fled the scene immediately after that crash, but the 9 00:00:30,760 --> 00:00:33,280 Speaker 1: thirty eight year old has since been arrested and charged 10 00:00:33,320 --> 00:00:37,440 Speaker 1: with a string of offenses including hit and run causing death, 11 00:00:38,040 --> 00:00:43,880 Speaker 1: careless driving causing serious harm, and disqualified driving. Now, as 12 00:00:43,920 --> 00:00:47,680 Speaker 1: I said, that was a family traveling in that car, 13 00:00:48,159 --> 00:00:53,080 Speaker 1: a local family, a local man was killed. Two of 14 00:00:53,120 --> 00:00:56,320 Speaker 1: his family members still recovering in hospital. Now joining me 15 00:00:56,480 --> 00:01:00,840 Speaker 1: on the line is Stephen Sinn's niece, Vanessa, saying good 16 00:01:00,840 --> 00:01:02,040 Speaker 1: morning to you, Vanessa. 17 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:04,679 Speaker 2: Good morning, Katie. Thank you for having me. 18 00:01:04,880 --> 00:01:08,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, thank you for joining me. Vanessa. When did you 19 00:01:08,400 --> 00:01:10,920 Speaker 1: first learn about what had happened with your family? 20 00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:16,720 Speaker 2: Pretty much once they we got the call from the police, 21 00:01:17,240 --> 00:01:20,520 Speaker 2: the family quite close so they meet all the interstate 22 00:01:20,600 --> 00:01:24,200 Speaker 2: calls and immediately after the crash. 23 00:01:24,280 --> 00:01:27,520 Speaker 1: So yeah, on the day, Vanessa, tell me a little 24 00:01:27,520 --> 00:01:31,320 Speaker 1: bit about Steve who passed away in the crash. 25 00:01:31,360 --> 00:01:37,440 Speaker 2: Stephen, he you know, he was such a gentle, gentle giant, 26 00:01:37,480 --> 00:01:41,360 Speaker 2: what I would say, he you know, he was a gentle, 27 00:01:41,560 --> 00:01:44,319 Speaker 2: caring son, brother, cousin. 28 00:01:44,200 --> 00:01:44,760 Speaker 1: To us all. 29 00:01:45,360 --> 00:01:48,640 Speaker 2: You know, a good colleague. He worked in you know, 30 00:01:48,680 --> 00:01:53,640 Speaker 2: as a public servant, at as a singer developer DW developer, 31 00:01:53,720 --> 00:01:56,920 Speaker 2: the anti government. You know, he was the primary care 32 00:01:57,080 --> 00:02:00,520 Speaker 2: and financial support for his parents, who are both on 33 00:02:00,560 --> 00:02:04,320 Speaker 2: a pension. And yeah, you know, his life is just 34 00:02:05,920 --> 00:02:07,160 Speaker 2: it's just tragic for us all. 35 00:02:08,200 --> 00:02:11,320 Speaker 1: You know, it's tragic that he's been lost, and it 36 00:02:11,400 --> 00:02:14,400 Speaker 1: is tragic then that his dad and his brother is 37 00:02:14,440 --> 00:02:16,520 Speaker 1: still in the hospital. How are they going at this 38 00:02:16,600 --> 00:02:17,200 Speaker 1: point in time? 39 00:02:18,320 --> 00:02:22,280 Speaker 2: Ah, well, Stephen's father still a means in the ICU 40 00:02:22,840 --> 00:02:26,640 Speaker 2: and his brother David has only been recently moved to 41 00:02:26,680 --> 00:02:29,680 Speaker 2: the general ward. So they've still been treated for you know, 42 00:02:29,760 --> 00:02:33,280 Speaker 2: the life altering injuries that they've sustained, and you know 43 00:02:33,320 --> 00:02:37,200 Speaker 2: they're facing a long and uncertain road to recovery. So physically, 44 00:02:37,360 --> 00:02:40,800 Speaker 2: mentally and emotionally, it's it's a long ride for the 45 00:02:40,840 --> 00:02:45,040 Speaker 2: whole family. And yeah, the extended family are doing their 46 00:02:45,040 --> 00:02:46,560 Speaker 2: best to assist. 47 00:02:47,280 --> 00:02:49,760 Speaker 1: Vanessa. I can't even imagine what that must have been 48 00:02:49,840 --> 00:02:52,480 Speaker 1: like to get that call, you know, not only has 49 00:02:52,520 --> 00:02:56,080 Speaker 1: your cousin passed away, but then to learn that you 50 00:02:56,080 --> 00:02:59,680 Speaker 1: know that your uncle is in hospital fighting for his life, 51 00:03:00,040 --> 00:03:03,760 Speaker 1: and and that David, you know, his brother is also 52 00:03:04,240 --> 00:03:10,200 Speaker 1: in hospital. Like it's it's just unimaginable for most people 53 00:03:10,240 --> 00:03:11,160 Speaker 1: listening this morning. 54 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:14,400 Speaker 2: Oh, that's right, and you know, to only you know, 55 00:03:14,520 --> 00:03:17,440 Speaker 2: to I just thought for my auntie, who you know, 56 00:03:17,560 --> 00:03:21,880 Speaker 2: had the call and you know, her whole family was 57 00:03:21,919 --> 00:03:25,000 Speaker 2: in the crash, and it's you know, the support that 58 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:27,080 Speaker 2: we've had to give her. I just I just feel 59 00:03:27,120 --> 00:03:30,120 Speaker 2: for her, you know, having to organize everything, you know, 60 00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:35,360 Speaker 2: medical and funeral, et cetera. It's it's very very tragic. 61 00:03:35,080 --> 00:03:37,360 Speaker 1: Right now, Vanessa, can you tell me a little bit 62 00:03:37,400 --> 00:03:42,040 Speaker 1: about about Stephen and how his family want to have 63 00:03:42,200 --> 00:03:42,960 Speaker 1: him remembered. 64 00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:47,440 Speaker 2: Well, yeah, so he's we just want him to remember 65 00:03:47,520 --> 00:03:52,200 Speaker 2: as how he was. You know, we we basically in 66 00:03:52,240 --> 00:03:54,560 Speaker 2: the past, you know, he's always been known as quiet, 67 00:03:54,600 --> 00:03:59,840 Speaker 2: gentle and you know, just supportive, and we want everyone 68 00:04:00,160 --> 00:04:03,160 Speaker 2: know that you know, there's a life lost there, and 69 00:04:04,080 --> 00:04:08,200 Speaker 2: you know he's the wider community that knew him, know 70 00:04:08,360 --> 00:04:11,560 Speaker 2: the impact it's going to have on his parents. 71 00:04:11,880 --> 00:04:14,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, and you touched on this, he's the main pro 72 00:04:14,800 --> 00:04:17,760 Speaker 1: he's been the main provider, you know, helping to support 73 00:04:17,760 --> 00:04:20,479 Speaker 1: his parents on the pension. As he touched on, I 74 00:04:20,520 --> 00:04:22,719 Speaker 1: can only begin to imagine the void that that now 75 00:04:22,839 --> 00:04:25,599 Speaker 1: leaves and the stress that that leaves. 76 00:04:26,279 --> 00:04:29,680 Speaker 2: That's right. And you know, so now it's you know, 77 00:04:30,480 --> 00:04:34,400 Speaker 2: my uncle's obviously at eighty two years old, and my 78 00:04:34,440 --> 00:04:37,000 Speaker 2: aunt is you know, also on the pension. So we're 79 00:04:37,400 --> 00:04:41,520 Speaker 2: having to wait for you know, David, you know, to 80 00:04:42,320 --> 00:04:45,920 Speaker 2: recover and deal with the loss of his brother, to 81 00:04:46,000 --> 00:04:48,320 Speaker 2: fill in the big shoes that you know, Stephen had. 82 00:04:48,400 --> 00:04:53,799 Speaker 1: So oh, it is like it's just a terrible, terrible situation. 83 00:04:53,960 --> 00:04:56,240 Speaker 1: And you know, we talk very often on this show 84 00:04:56,320 --> 00:04:59,280 Speaker 1: about crashes that have happened, and sometimes I think people 85 00:04:59,320 --> 00:05:02,000 Speaker 1: hear that there's a crash, or they hear that there's 86 00:05:02,040 --> 00:05:04,719 Speaker 1: been a fatality, but it's not very often that we 87 00:05:04,800 --> 00:05:08,760 Speaker 1: speak to the family who's been impacted by such a 88 00:05:08,839 --> 00:05:12,880 Speaker 1: horrendous incident. And you know, what we are seeing on 89 00:05:12,920 --> 00:05:16,640 Speaker 1: our roads is just unacceptable. It's you know, and it's 90 00:05:16,640 --> 00:05:17,359 Speaker 1: got to stop. 91 00:05:18,240 --> 00:05:21,000 Speaker 2: Well, that's right, I mean, just on this road alone, 92 00:05:21,040 --> 00:05:24,200 Speaker 2: I hear that there's been you know, three serious incidents 93 00:05:24,200 --> 00:05:26,159 Speaker 2: in the past three weeks, and two of them have 94 00:05:26,279 --> 00:05:30,040 Speaker 2: been fatal. So you know, the increasing road from one 95 00:05:30,160 --> 00:05:33,359 Speaker 2: crime in the territory is quite concerning. 96 00:05:34,120 --> 00:05:36,320 Speaker 1: Vanessa. I know a thirty eight year old man's been 97 00:05:36,440 --> 00:05:39,440 Speaker 1: charged in relation to this incident and is now before 98 00:05:39,480 --> 00:05:41,279 Speaker 1: the court. So I want to be careful because I 99 00:05:41,279 --> 00:05:44,479 Speaker 1: don't want to jeopardize any legal proceedings in any way. 100 00:05:45,080 --> 00:05:47,560 Speaker 1: But what was your reaction when you learned that he'd 101 00:05:47,760 --> 00:05:51,400 Speaker 1: allegedly fled after the crash? 102 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:57,840 Speaker 2: Absolutely mortified and we felt anger someone that could just 103 00:05:58,120 --> 00:06:00,960 Speaker 2: you know, hurt somebody and just flee the scene. That's 104 00:06:01,080 --> 00:06:04,479 Speaker 2: just is this unimagine if someone actually could do that. So, 105 00:06:04,880 --> 00:06:08,520 Speaker 2: you know, we are assisting the police with the queries. 106 00:06:08,880 --> 00:06:10,720 Speaker 2: But it seems as though, you know, there's a lot 107 00:06:10,760 --> 00:06:13,279 Speaker 2: more to the story than what's being told. But you know, 108 00:06:13,920 --> 00:06:16,440 Speaker 2: it's yeah, there's a yeah, there's really there. 109 00:06:16,720 --> 00:06:18,840 Speaker 1: Well, and as I say, I won't go too deeply 110 00:06:18,880 --> 00:06:20,640 Speaker 1: into this because I don't want to jeopardize it in 111 00:06:20,680 --> 00:06:24,440 Speaker 1: any way. But I mean, you know, we know that 112 00:06:24,520 --> 00:06:29,479 Speaker 1: this person's been charged with driving while disqualified. You know, 113 00:06:29,760 --> 00:06:33,280 Speaker 1: I can't imagine how that makes you feel, as well 114 00:06:33,320 --> 00:06:37,080 Speaker 1: as being charged with hit and run you know, causing 115 00:06:37,120 --> 00:06:40,480 Speaker 1: death and hit and run causing serious harm to counts 116 00:06:40,960 --> 00:06:45,440 Speaker 1: mm hmm. I mean then when you look at these 117 00:06:45,520 --> 00:06:49,040 Speaker 1: reports that the alleged driver had a history of offending 118 00:06:49,160 --> 00:06:51,640 Speaker 1: which I can't go into. But I mean, do you 119 00:06:51,680 --> 00:06:54,320 Speaker 1: have a message for the Northern Territory government when it 120 00:06:54,320 --> 00:06:57,600 Speaker 1: comes to the justice system and community safety? 121 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:02,719 Speaker 2: Well, we're right now. We urgently, you know, the government 122 00:07:02,800 --> 00:07:06,280 Speaker 2: and the police to act with full diligence and transparency, 123 00:07:07,279 --> 00:07:14,120 Speaker 2: transparency to ensure that the individuals are involved are prevented 124 00:07:14,160 --> 00:07:17,080 Speaker 2: from from hurting other people, you know, causing other harm 125 00:07:17,160 --> 00:07:19,360 Speaker 2: to you know, another family. 126 00:07:20,440 --> 00:07:23,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean you're spot on, like we've I don't 127 00:07:23,160 --> 00:07:26,400 Speaker 1: know how we like, you know, I don't know what 128 00:07:26,800 --> 00:07:29,640 Speaker 1: else to say without I don't want to, like I say, 129 00:07:29,640 --> 00:07:33,000 Speaker 1: this is before the courts, but it makes me feel 130 00:07:33,240 --> 00:07:36,360 Speaker 1: angry and upset, So I cannot imagine how it makes 131 00:07:36,400 --> 00:07:42,000 Speaker 1: you feel. Just in terms of other road users, I mean, 132 00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:44,680 Speaker 1: do you have a message for other road users this morning? 133 00:07:44,840 --> 00:07:47,240 Speaker 1: When you look at what's happened with your family and 134 00:07:47,920 --> 00:07:51,000 Speaker 1: the grief that you guys are going through, but also 135 00:07:51,160 --> 00:07:54,160 Speaker 1: the what's next in so many different ways in terms 136 00:07:54,240 --> 00:07:58,119 Speaker 1: of making sure that your aunt is looked after, making 137 00:07:58,160 --> 00:08:01,360 Speaker 1: sure your cousin who survived looked after. What is your 138 00:08:01,360 --> 00:08:04,040 Speaker 1: message for other road users? 139 00:08:04,080 --> 00:08:08,040 Speaker 2: My message is, well, our message is just slow down, 140 00:08:08,160 --> 00:08:10,880 Speaker 2: be patient. You know, what's an extra couple of minutes 141 00:08:11,080 --> 00:08:14,559 Speaker 2: being late going to do rather than getting a call 142 00:08:15,120 --> 00:08:18,240 Speaker 2: your family, getting a call to say that you know, 143 00:08:18,320 --> 00:08:22,440 Speaker 2: something has tragically happened, you know, just be mindful on 144 00:08:22,480 --> 00:08:26,200 Speaker 2: the roads. Everyone, Just you do your part and get 145 00:08:26,200 --> 00:08:30,160 Speaker 2: home safely. We all deserve, you know, to have our 146 00:08:30,200 --> 00:08:33,200 Speaker 2: family members come home and to go home to our 147 00:08:33,240 --> 00:08:34,800 Speaker 2: family now. 148 00:08:34,840 --> 00:08:37,719 Speaker 1: I know, as you mentioned, Stephen was a born and 149 00:08:37,800 --> 00:08:41,400 Speaker 1: bred territory. And what's the response been from the community too. 150 00:08:41,480 --> 00:08:42,600 Speaker 1: He's passing. 151 00:08:45,080 --> 00:08:51,400 Speaker 2: Very supportive, supportive. We've had, you know, numerous phone calls, messages, 152 00:08:51,800 --> 00:08:57,479 Speaker 2: you know, offerings of you know, support financially. We appreciate 153 00:08:57,520 --> 00:09:00,840 Speaker 2: it all, you know, and we've got you know, his 154 00:09:01,040 --> 00:09:06,360 Speaker 2: colleagues will be attending the funeral that's been held later 155 00:09:06,400 --> 00:09:10,640 Speaker 2: on this week. You know, we're you know, we extend 156 00:09:10,679 --> 00:09:15,360 Speaker 2: our heart help heart felt thank you to everybody that's 157 00:09:15,880 --> 00:09:18,439 Speaker 2: been in touch with the family and the extended family. 158 00:09:19,520 --> 00:09:24,520 Speaker 1: Well, Vanessa, you know my love my prayers to your 159 00:09:24,559 --> 00:09:27,040 Speaker 1: family at this point in time. I really appreciate you 160 00:09:27,120 --> 00:09:31,720 Speaker 1: speaking to us. I think it's incredibly important that you 161 00:09:31,760 --> 00:09:35,360 Speaker 1: know that that people understand that when we speak about 162 00:09:35,360 --> 00:09:38,200 Speaker 1: this kind of road trauma, that there is a family 163 00:09:38,360 --> 00:09:42,079 Speaker 1: behind that trauma. And you know what you guys are 164 00:09:42,080 --> 00:09:45,520 Speaker 1: dealing with now. I can't even begin to imagine it. 165 00:09:45,600 --> 00:09:48,160 Speaker 1: So I really appreciate you taking the time to speak 166 00:09:48,200 --> 00:09:50,480 Speaker 1: to me, but to all of our listeners this morning. 167 00:09:51,600 --> 00:09:52,840 Speaker 2: Thank you so much, Katie. 168 00:09:53,160 --> 00:09:54,880 Speaker 1: I really appreciate it all the best. 169 00:09:54,960 --> 00:09:55,520 Speaker 2: I appreciate it. 170 00:09:55,800 --> 00:09:57,160 Speaker 1: Thank you very much. Thank you.