JJ Lehto Open to Manslaughter Charge Following Boat Crash

Former Formula 1 driver JJ Lehto is apparently facing manslaughter charges as a result of the boat crash he was involved in last June. As we reported at the time, Lehto had taken his speedboat for a ride with a friend of his when, somewhere around 4 AM, it smashed into a bridge pillar.

If he escaped the accident with multiple fractures, broken ribs and head trauma – as a result of which he didn't even acknowledged what happened when in hospital – his friend was unfortunately killed. According to some media, the former Sauber and Benetton racer had failed an alcohol test, an information that was closely investigated by the police after the incident.

Due to his temporary loss of memory, the police had some trouble with finalizing the investigation sooner. While avoiding to mention if Lehto was indeed under the influence of alcohol during the mishappening, the Finnish media revealed the police have concluded that he was driving the boat.

What this means is that he is now open to a manslaughter charge. And just to make things worse, the police report also states that Lehto was doing close to 40 knots in a region where the speed was limited to only 5 knots. Consequently, should the family of his deceased friend decide to act on it, they could sue him.

Up until now, no charges have been filed just yet. While the media continues to speculate on the case, Lehto is yet to speak to the journalists and share his side of the story, in case he remembers it. We'll keep you posted on the developments of this case as soon as more info appears.