In the early hours of Saturday, the police were alerted to a vehicle driving erratically in Kuhmo, prompting a high-speed chase. Reports to the emergency services indicated that the driver was operating the vehicle in a dangerous manner, warranting police intervention. As the police engaged, the driver fled at significant speeds through the town center of Kuhmo, evading immediate capture.

Following a short pursuit, authorities decided to halt the chase due to safety concerns, but later apprehended the suspect who was found to be driving under the influence. The driver is now facing serious charges, including gross drunk driving, endangerment of traffic safety, and driving a vehicle while banned from operating a vehicle. This incident is part of a worrying trend observed during the weekend, where other drunk drivers were also apprehended in nearby towns such as Ylivieska and Paltamo.

In addition to the Kuhmo incident, multiple cases of drunk driving were reported across the region, highlighting growing concerns among law enforcement regarding road safety and the need for increased measures to combat alcohol-related driving offenses. One particular case noted in Haapavesi involved a driver with a blood alcohol level of 2.4 promille, indicating a severe impairment, which raises alarms about public safety and the effectiveness of current deterrents against drunk driving.