Drunk driver rams police car during high-speed chase in Mikkeli

A heavily intoxicated man crashed into a police vehicle in Mikkeli, southeastern Finland, on Friday evening after leading officers on a high-speed chase reaching 200 km/h, Yle reports.

The 50-year-old driver was apprehended after police deployed a spike strip on Uusi Ristiinantie road. Officers deliberately positioned their patrol car to block the lane, sacrificing the vehicle to avoid endangering personnel.

“It’s better to sacrifice a police car than an officer,” said Sergeant Toni Reinikainen.

The suspect’s car struck the police vehicle at an estimated 120 km/h, leaving both cars totaled. A breathalyser test showed the driver’s blood alcohol level at 1.49 mg/l (3.38‰), while a rapid drug test indicated opiates and amphetamines in his system.

Police detained the man, a local resident born in 1974, on suspicion of aggravated drunk driving, aggravated endangerment of traffic safety, and drug offences. He remains in custody at Mikkeli police station pending further investigation.

The chase began after emergency services received reports of an erratically driven car approaching Mikkeli from Ristiina. Police attempted to stop the vehicle near Porrassalmentie using lights and sirens, but the driver fled toward the city center.