Lehto claims no memory of fatal boat crash

Two weeks after a boat crash in his native Finland, former F1 driver JJ Lehto has told police he has no memory of the incident.

The 44-year-old, who drove for teams including Sauber and Benetton until 1994 and is now a commentator, was one of the two occupants of a speed boat that struck a bridge pillar at 4am in the morning.

His friend did not survive, but Lehto managed to swim ashore with head injuries and broken ribs.

Finnish reports said Lehto failed an alcohol breath test, and police suspect he might be guilty of other offences, including speeding in the narrow channel.

But a police superintendent said two weeks ago that Lehto could not be interviewed because he was “strongly medicated” while recovering from his injuries in hospital.

And according to Turun Sanomat newspaper, Lehto has now told police that he cannot remember the crash, or the events leading up to it.

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