Driver sentenced after drunk driving crash on Lake Päijänne leaves one dead

A 28-year-old man has been fined for causing a fatal accident after his car plunged into open water on Lake Päijänne while both occupants were intoxicated, reports Finnish public broadcaster Yle.

The Central Finland District Court sentenced the driver to 70 day-fines—totaling €2,100—for negligent homicide and drunk driving. The February 2024 incident occurred when the car broke through thin ice in the Syväsalmi strait near Luhanka, submerging in the lake.

A 25-year-old passenger died in the accident. Rescue divers later recovered his body from inside the sunken vehicle. The court confirmed both men were under the influence of alcohol at the time.

According to the ruling, the driver failed to notice the unfrozen section of ice in time. After the car began sinking, he unbuckled his seatbelt and attempted to free his friend but was unable to do so. The driver escaped the vehicle and sought help from a nearby cabin.

The prosecutor had sought a suspended prison sentence of six to eight months, arguing the driver had neglected due caution. The defendant admitted to drunk driving and causing the death but described the event as a tragic accident, noting the victim was a close friend. He requested leniency, citing his lack of prior convictions and the absence of claims from the victim’s family.

In addition to fines, the court ordered the driver to pay compensation for the victim’s suffering, as well as costs for toxicology tests and an autopsy, totaling approximately €3,600. The February 4 verdict is final.

Police previously stated that the Syväsalmi strait, where the accident occurred, rarely freezes completely due to strong currents.