Turku appeals court leaves sentence unchanged in fatal quarry crash

The Turku Court of Appeal has upheld the sentence given to the young driver involved in a fatal crash at a water-filled quarry in Laitila, Yle reported.

The district court sentenced the 18-year-old for two counts of causing death by negligence and endangering safety, imposing three months’ suspended imprisonment and compensation payments.

Two parties to the case appealed, seeking a conviction for aggravated causing of death by negligence as a young offender and a harsher sentence. They also sought 15,000 euros each in compensation for suffering.

The appeals court said the evidence heard gave it no reason to assess the case differently from the district court.

Two young people died in June 2025 when the car driven by the defendant went into the water-filled quarry. The driver, who was 17 at the time, had received a driving licence under a special permit earlier that day. He and a 19-year-old passenger escaped from the sinking vehicle.

The appeals court ruling can be appealed if the Supreme Court grants leave to appeal.