Man sentenced for causing death in traffic collision in Vantaa, Helsinki

A 69-year-old man has been sentenced to a fine for causing death and endangering traffic safety by the Helsinki District Court. The incident occurred in Vantaa, Helsinki, in July 2020 when the defendant, driving a delivery van, collided with the rear of a taxi.

A man born in the 1930s, who was seated in the back of the taxi, sustained injuries as he was not wearing a seatbelt and struck his head on the front seat. He later died in the hospital.

Both the accused driver and the taxi driver reported that the collision was minor, with the taxi driver realizing only after parking that their passenger was injured. The court determined that the collision was due to the van driver’s insufficient maintenance of a safe distance.

The court found no evidence of negligence on the part of the taxi driver. It ruled that the van driver’s actions were careless as he failed to keep an adequate following distance. The man received a sentence of 70 daily fines for both endangering traffic safety and causing death, amounting to a total of 1,400 euros based on his income.