Driver gets six years for fatal crash after using nitrous oxide

A 25-year-old man has been sentenced to six years in prison for negligent manslaughter following a fatal crash in Copenhagen's Frederikssundsvej tunnel in July 2024. The court determined the driver was under the influence of nitrous oxide at the time of the incident, leading to the charge under particularly aggravating circumstances.

The crash occurred around 5:30 a.m. two years prior, when a high-speed rental car collided with a concrete barrier. The vehicle carried six young adults, one more than the available seatbelts. All passengers sustained serious injuries, including broken bones and brain hemorrhages. Five were in critical condition, and one passenger died nine days after the accident.

The driver, who has not been named, appealed the verdict to the High Court shortly after the sentencing. The case highlights the dangers of impaired driving and the severe consequences that can result from reckless behavior behind the wheel.