New details emerge in deadly Valkeakoski collision: excessive speed and engine fire caused by detached car engine

Police investigating last week’s fatal crash in Valkeakoski have revealed that excessive speed and dangerous overtaking led to the collision, which also caused a grass fire after a car engine detached and ignited, reports Finnish public broadcaster Yle.

The accident on Hämeenlinna Road involved two passenger cars, one towing a horse trailer. According to investigative lead Maijastiina Tammisto, the driver suspected of causing the crash had been speeding and making hazardous passes before veering into oncoming traffic.

Both drivers died in the collision, while a passenger and a horse in the trailer were injured. The horse later had to be euthanised. The suspect driver’s car was not towing the trailer.

Firefighters from across the Pirkanmaa region responded to extinguish a grass fire sparked when an engine from one of the vehicles broke loose, landed in a ditch, and ignited the surrounding area. Authorities have not confirmed which car the engine came from.

Police are treating the case as aggravated endangerment of traffic safety and aggravated vehicular homicide. No further details will be released, as the suspected offender is deceased and the case will not proceed to prosecution.