Helsinki police say they are continuing their investigation into a hit-and-run incident that left one dead and four severely injured on Friday. Police were expected to ask for the man to be remanded in custody on Monday, but instead police transferred the suspect to a facility for medical supervision. Decisions about his formal arrest are pending, according to the police statement.
Police said they have interviewed the 51-year-old male suspect, his injured victims and other eyewitnesses and have viewed surveillance camera footage of the incident.
"He ran over six different people"
"The investigation has bolstered our previous understanding that the suspect was driving well above the speed limit on the route he chose. On Lönnrotinkatu he ran over six different people," police detective Teemu Kruskopf said.
Kruskopf said that before hitting the pedestrians, the suspect also caused a number of other hazardous situations with his car on city streets that day.
A pretrial investigation is ongoing. Police did not comment on the mental or physical health status of the suspect.
Police say that the man faces charges including: one count of manslaughter, five counts of attempted manslaughter, as well as drink-driving and aggravated traffic endangerment charges.