Taxi Driver Suspected of Aggravated Drunk Driving in Fatal Hit-and-Run on Itäväylä
A 43-year-old taxi driver is under suspicion for aggravated drunk driving, aggravated causing of death, and aggravated endangerment of traffic safety following a fatal hit-and-run on Itäväylä in Helsinki in the early hours of Tuesday, June 30. The incident resulted in the deaths of a 33-year-old woman and her acquaintance, both of whom were struck while on the middle lane of the road near Kulosaari. Ilta-Sanomat (IS) reports that the taxi, traveling from the direction of the Redi shopping center, collided with the victims, one of whom was lying on the road at the time of the accident.
The driver did not stop at the scene but continued driving before being apprehended later in a parking garage in the Itäkeskus area. According to IS, the man was operating a taxi for Taksi Helsinki at the time of the accident, though he did not have a passenger in the vehicle. The company has since terminated its cooperation with the driver. Police suspect he may have transported passengers earlier the same evening while intoxicated.
Previous Drunk Driving Incident
The suspect has a recent history of alleged drunk driving. In June 2024, police received a report that the taxi driver was consuming beer while driving and exhibiting erratic behavior. IS reports that a patrol located the vehicle on Ring Road I near the Malmi junction, where the driver was breathalyzed twice within five minutes. The second test yielded a result of 0.26 milligrams per liter, equivalent to approximately 0.5–0.6 per mille. However, after applying a margin of error, the reading fell below the threshold for criminal liability, and the investigation was discontinued. The driver admitted to having consumed one beer before picking up a passenger during that incident.
Background and Legal Status
The 43-year-old driver has held a valid taxi license since at least 2003, according to records from the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom (IS). While he has no prior criminal convictions in the past decade, district court records reveal financial difficulties, including tens of thousands of euros in unpaid debts under enforcement. The man does not currently have a permanent address in Finland but previously resided in eastern Helsinki.
Following the Itäväylä incident, police have imposed a temporary driving ban on the suspect. Memorial candles were placed near the accident site in the days after the crash, as shown in images published by IS. Yle confirms that the investigation into the fatal accident is ongoing.