Driver investigated for involuntary manslaughter following fatal accident in Saarijärvi, Finland

The police have re-interrogated the driver involved in a fatal car accident in Saarijärvi, located in Central Finland. The June incident resulted in the death of a school-aged girl who was a passenger in the back seat of the vehicle. The accident occurred early in the morning when the car veered off the road, struck a culvert, and rolled onto its side after a brief airborne trajectory.

Shortly after the incident, the driver claimed that a technical fault led to the accident. However, an investigation revealed no mechanical defects in the vehicle. Veli-Pekka Välisaari, a crime commissioner with the Central Finland Police, informed Yle via email that the driver was questioned again in early August.

The driver maintains that he was not asleep at the wheel, stating that the car’s power steering failed, causing it to veer off the road. Välisaari noted that while the possibility of a technical malfunction has been ruled out, the exact reason for the accident remains unclear.

There is suspicion that driver error could have contributed to the crash, but it has been confirmed that the driver was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time. The approximately 20-year-old driver is currently under investigation for involuntary manslaughter and endangering traffic safety. The pre-trial investigation is nearing completion, and the case will soon move to the prosecution phase.