Police suspect taxi driver had passenger just before fatal crash on Itäväylä

Helsinki police suspect a taxi driver accused of a fatal crash on Itäväylä had a passenger shortly before the collision, Yle reports.

Two people died in the early hours of 30 June when the driver, allegedly intoxicated, struck them in the Kulosaari area, according to investigators.

“We suspect that just before the collision, a passenger ride took place,” Helsinki police lead investigator Tuomas Lindholm told Yle on Tuesday.

The driver, a man in his 40s, is suspected of aggravated drunk driving, aggravated manslaughter, and aggravated endangerment of traffic safety. Police confirmed he had consumed alcohol earlier in the evening.

“I cannot specify how his working hours were defined, but at that moment, he was not on duty,” Lindholm said. However, police believe he may have transported “at least someone” while intoxicated.

Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators showed no irregularities in the driver’s behaviour prior to the crash. Authorities have gathered statements from the suspect and eyewitnesses, including details about the two victims, who had been in Kulosaari for some time before the incident.

The suspect was released from custody on Friday, with no request for detention. Police are prioritising the investigation into the crash itself over reconstructing the events leading up to it.