- 14 Dec 11, 23:15#286384
GPUpdate.net wrote:">Ex Formula 1 driver J.J. Lehto faces a prison sentence of two years and four months after being found guilty of driving a speedboat while under the influence of alcohol. The incident in question took place in June 2010, resulting in the death of a friend.
The boat controlled by Lehto, now 45, was travelling at 79km/h (50mph) in waters where a 5km/h (3mph) speed limit had been applied. According to the Finnish media, the accident – which involved the vessel hitting the base of a bridge - happened at around 4am following a meal in a Chinese restaurant.
In the immediate aftermath of the event, it was unknown as to which of the men had been driving, although investigators have now noted that Lehto was at the helm; however, he denies this and his lawyer has now filed for appeal.
YallaF1.com wrote:">Dec.14 (Reuters) Former Finnish Formula One driver and Le Mans winner Jyrki Jarvilehto, who raced as JJ Lehto, was sentenced on Wednesday to two years and four months in jail for a drunken boat accident which killed his friend.
Finland’s Lansi-Uudenmaan district court said that Lehto was drunk and speeding on his boat in June 2010, when it hit a bridge support pillar in a canal in Raasepori, southern Finland.
Lehto denied he was driving the boat when the crash happened, although the court said the victim’s injuries indicated he was a passenger and Lehto was the driver.
He is appealing the sentence, his lawyer told Finnish news agency STT.
The 45-year-old, managed by compatriot and 1982 world champion Keke Rosberg, drove in Formula One between 1989 and 1994.
Lehto’s best result in F1was a third place in a Dallara Judd in the 1991 San Marino Grand Prix.
The Finn also raced for Onyx, Sauber and Benetton in his 62 race F1 career before switching to sportscars and winning the Le Mans 24 Hours race in 1995 and 2005 with McLaren and Audi respectively.
