A 21-year-old driver has been sentenced to 60 days of suspended imprisonment and 80 hours of community service for causing an accident in Southern Jutland in April 2024 that resulted in the death of a 20-year-old man. The Kolding court determined that the driver’s actions did not constitute reckless driving, despite the prosecution’s argument for a more severe sentence.

The incident occurred on Vandelvej in Vandel around 6:00 PM on April 6, 2024, when the 21-year-old overtook another vehicle. The victim, 20-year-old Simon Johnsen, died as a result of the accident.

Prosecutors had charged the driver with negligent manslaughter under particularly aggravating circumstances, also known as reckless driving, seeking a three-year prison sentence. However, the court concluded that while the driver overtook at an excessive speed and crossed the dividing line, it did not amount to particularly reckless driving.

The court emphasized that there was no contact between the vehicles involved and that the incident was isolated, lasting only a few seconds.

In addition to the suspended sentence and community service, the 21-year-old will have his driving license revoked for six months. The driver has accepted the verdict.