Driver denies responsibility in fatal Mynämäki cycling crash

A 71-year-old woman died after her bicycle collided with a van in Mynämäki in September 2025. The driver is now on trial, Yle reports.

The crash happened at about 5pm on Yläneentie. Prosecutors say the van drifted towards the edge of the road and struck the woman as she cycled ahead in the same direction. She hit the windscreen and landed on the right side of the road. She died at the scene despite attempts to resuscitate her.

The driver, who is now 33, denies charges of aggravated negligent homicide and aggravated endangerment of traffic safety. Prosecutors are seeking a six-month suspended prison sentence. The district court in Southwest Finland will issue its ruling later.

The driver disputes the account of how the crash happened. He says the woman was riding on the road, about a metre towards the centre line rather than on the shoulder, and swerved towards the middle before the van hit her. He says he was within the speed limit and was not using his phone.

The defence also says the woman was not wearing a high-visibility vest or conspicuous lights, and that her clothes were neutral in colour. It suggests physical exertion may have affected her riding and position on the road. The woman was not wearing a helmet, which the defence says is relevant to assessing the charge. The driver’s court response says the sun was low, but does not directly claim that glare contributed to the crash.