Driver acquitted of negligent homicide but sentenced for drug-impaired driving in Stjørdal crash

In a recent ruling, the Frostating lagmannsrett acquitted a man in his 50s of negligent vehicular homicide stemming from a September 2024 crash in Stjørdal, Trøndelag, that claimed the life of 60-year-old Aud Andersen Sandoddens. The appellate court confirmed that the driver had operated his vehicle while under the influence of amphetamines, a violation that resulted in a 30-day suspended prison sentence. Additionally, he lost his driving licence for one year and must pass a new driving test before regaining it.

Ole Petter Drevland, the defendant’s counsel, said his client felt relief at the verdict but remained deeply empathetic toward the bereaved family. The earlier trial had imposed a 45-day jail term and a monetary penalty, which were nullified by the appeal. The case highlights ongoing legal scrutiny of drug-related traffic offenses in Norway.