Police suspect 17-year-old of multiple crimes after Outokumpu death

Police suspect a 17-year-old man of multiple crimes after he drove into an oncoming car in Outokumpu last October, killing its 75-year-old driver, Yle reports.

The crash involved two passenger cars. The 17-year-old’s car collided with a vehicle travelling along Kuusjärventie towards Outokumpu. The driver of the other car, a local 75-year-old man, died at the scene.

Eastern Finland Police have completed their preliminary investigation. The young driver is suspected of driving while intoxicated, aggravated endangerment of traffic safety, aggravated death by negligence and aggravated causing of injury through negligence.

Police suspect that the 17-year-old was driving at a significantly excessive speed before the collision. Four young people aged between 16 and 18 were also in his car and suffered injuries of varying severity.

The crash occurred at the intersection of Kuusjärventie and Keretintie, where the speed limit is 60 kilometres per hour. It happened at about 8pm on Friday, October 3.

The driver held a category B driving licence granted under an age-based exemption.

The case will now be sent to the prosecutor for consideration of charges.