Taxi driver suspected of deliberately hitting pedestrian in Levi

Police in Finnish Lapland are investigating a taxi driver on suspicion of intentionally running over a pedestrian in the early hours of Monday in the ski resort of Levi, reports public broadcaster Yle.

The incident occurred around 2 a.m. on April 27, when police received an emergency call about a hit-and-run. According to investigators, the 40-year-old driver and the victim—a man of similar age—had been involved in a verbal altercation at a taxi stand in central Levi before the collision.

The driver reportedly left the scene in the taxi but returned minutes later, accelerating forcefully into the victim, who remained at the stand. Witnesses observed the driver reversing several meters before speeding forward. The victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was hospitalized.

Authorities confirmed the driver held a valid taxi license and was operating a sedan-style taxi. Both individuals are from outside the local area. Police are treating the case as aggravated assault.