Police have arrested two males after a bottle-shop attendant was hit by a car in Palmerston last night.

Police received a report just after 10pm that two staff members at the Palmerston Tavern had been assaulted after refusing service to a man as they were closing the bottle shop.

The men told police they were in the process of closing the bottle shop for the night when the driver of a Toyota Hilux approached the drive-through. A male passenger got out of the vehicle and tried to purchase liquor but was refused because staff were closing up. The 16-year-old male then allegedly spat in the face of the 49-year-old manager and got back into the vehicle. The driver then allegedly began to reverse down the driveway before changing direction and driving the vehicle at the two staff members.

One of the men managed to jump clear but the other - a 38-year-old man - was hit by the vehicle and sustained a broken arm.

Police were called and were given the registration of the vehicle and they arrested the two males at a residence in Gray a short time later.

The 16-year-old passenger has been released to be summonsed at a later date while the 29-year-old driver has been charged with:

Recklessly endangering life -serious harm
Drive with a low range blood alcohol content (.052 per cent)

He has been bailed to appear in the Darwin Magistrates Court on May 26.

Media contact:
Theresa kuilboer
(08)89 223531