Pirkkala crash: Driver cleared of manslaughter, fined €240 after 15-year-old's death
Pirkanmaa District Court largely dismissed manslaughter and injury charges after a July scooter crash in Pirkkala that killed a 15-year-old; the driver was convicted only of endangering traffic and fined €240.
According to Yle, Pirkanmaa District Court has largely dismissed manslaughter and injury charges stemming from a July scooter crash in Pirkkala that killed a 15-year-old girl. The court convicted the 45-year-old driver only of endangering traffic and imposed 40 day-fines, a total of €240.
The collision occurred at a pedestrian crossing when two 15-year-old girls were riding the same electric scooter and were struck by a car. One girl later died in hospital; the other was injured. Neither wore a helmet.
Prosecutors had sought charges of negligent homicide, negligent injury and endangering traffic, but the court concluded the scooter rider had neglected a duty to yield and dropped the homicide and injury counts.
Records from the scooter rental operator showed the scooter was travelling 10 km/h as it entered the crossing. The driver told the court he only noticed the scooter when it was directly ahead and could not brake in time. His defence said he had been driving about 35 km/h in a 50 km/h zone.
The court noted visibility at the site was good and that the driver had roughly ten seconds to see the scooter riders, meaning he should have recognised the higher risk posed by a group of young road users. The verdict is not yet final.
Catch the full story over at YLE
