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Rhys Simlesa (above) and his friend Rhys Walters, both 15, died after being struck on the Stuart Highway in Darwin in the early hours of Sunday. Picture: Facebook.
TRAGIC 15-year-old boys Rhys Simlesa and Rhys Walters were struck dead on a “dark stretch of highway” outside Darwin on Sunday morning.
A 17-year-old boy who killed the two younger teenagers walking on the Northern Territory’s Stuart Highway in the accident will not be charged.
Tributes have poured out on Facebook to the two dead boys, and to the driver “who will have this with him forever”.
Rhys Simlesa and Rhys Walters were among five youths walking along the Stuart Highway in the outer Darwin suburb of Coolalinga following a 16th birthday party.
At around 2.30am on Sunday, a Nissan Patrol ploughed into the group, killing the two Darwin High School students.
The friends tried desperately to revive Simlesa and Walters and dialled triple-0, but they could not be saved.
Rhys Simlesa (above) and his friend died after being struck on the Stuart Highway in DarwinSource:Facebook
Facebook post about rhys simlesa who died on Darwin highwaySource:Facebook
The 17-year-old driver of the vehicle, who is believed to have been at the same party as other teens, stopped immediately after the accident.
He was alcohol and drug tested at the scene and released. Debris was strewn across the highway in the wake of the accident.
The aunt of Rhys Simlesa, Michaelle Simlesa, posted a loving tribute on Facebook in the wake of the deaths.
“My nephew Rhys Simlesa and his 15 year old friend were both killed and run down in the early hours of this morning,” Ms Simlesa wrote.
The Nissan Patrol on the Stuart Highway following the accident in which Rhys Simlesa and Rhys Walters died walking on the weekend. Picture: Nine News Network.Source:Channel 9
Facebook post about rhys simlesa who died on Darwin highwaySource:Facebook
“RIP to both of the boys and my heart goes out to all the lives the boys have touched.”
On a news Facebook site, Darwin locals posted condolences to the families and friends of the victims, and to the young driver of the vehicle.
One woman posted: “So sad, I could not imagine the shock of the family, friends & the driver ...
that road is terrible for lighting, I hate driving there at night”.
Another woman wrote: “So very sorry for the families involved. Such a terrible tragedy.
“Thought go out to the young driver of the vehicle that hit the lads and will have this with him forever. May he get the support he needs. Such a dark stretch of highway.”
Northern Territory Police are investigating the circumstances leading up to the accident.