The Northern Territory's road toll is now double what it was a year ago after two people were killed within hours of each other in the early hours of this morning.
Shortly after midnight, a taxi driver with a passenger on board, struck a 55-year-old woman on the corner of Smith and McLachlan Streets in the Darwin CBD.
The major crash investigation unit's Sergeant Mark Casey, said the woman had been lying near the centre line of the road when she was hit.
The male taxi driver, 64, was arrested shortly after at the airport and is now helping with the police investigation.
Sergeant Casey said the passenger called and "advised police of what has occurred".
The driver was not believed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time.
About 5am, police were called to a second fatal incident — a single vehicle crash on the Kakadu Highway, about 350 kilometres south east of Darwin.
The only occupant of the car, a male, was found dead at the scene.
Sergeant Casey said his age could not yet be determined.
From the damage on the car, he believed speed was a factor and said the man was unlikely to have been wearing a seatbelt.
The NT road toll is now 24 for 2018, twice the count from this time last year when it was 12.
Six of the people killed were pedestrians.
Five were killed on the Kakadu Highway.
"It's been a tragic night on Territory roads. (The road toll is) double up from last year," Sergeant Casey said.
"Other than we've had unusually poor drivers this year, there's no real indication as to why it's occurring.
"We're asking people, we're begging people, just take care on the roads."
Earlier this week a 62-year-old man was killed after being hit by a 4WD at Wagait Beach, east of Darwin.
The matter is still being investigated.
