Prosecutor seeks prison for driver in Aura River crash

A prosecutor in Finland is seeking at least six months of unconditional imprisonment for a 19-year-old man involved in a car accident in Turku. The incident, which occurred in August 2025, involved the driver plunging a vehicle into the Aura River during the early morning hours.

Three young adults were inside the vehicle at the time but managed to escape the sinking car. The charges against the driver include aggravated driving under the influence, aggravated endangerment of traffic safety, and driving without a license. The prosecutor described the driver's actions as ‘very dangerous and reckless,’ noting that the driver accelerated into a dark tunnel with no visibility and nearly struck a pedestrian.

The trial was held in the Actual Finland District Court. Due to the defendant's failure to appear in person, the court proceeded with the hearing remotely via the Oulu District Court. The prosecutor noted that the defendant has received five previous convictions within the last year, including traffic offenses committed after the river incident.