An 18-year-old driver faces trial for reckless manslaughter after allegedly killing a 65-year-old grandfather outside a Copenhagen baby store last August while under the influence of cannabis and nitrous oxide. The case has accelerated Denmark’s legal crackdown on laughing gas behind the wheel.
Fatal Collision Outside Baby Store
A summer evening shopping trip turned deadly on August 19, 2025, when a grandfather was struck and killed while loading newly purchased baby equipment into his car. The 65-year-old man was standing outside BabySam on Roskildevej in Valby with his pregnant daughter-in-law when a Porsche Cayenne driven by a then 17-year-old crashed into him. The victim died from his injuries at the scene.
Pregnant Woman Seriously Injured
The victim’s pregnant daughter-in-law was also injured in the collision. She suffered a complicated foot fracture that required nearly a month of hospitalization. According to the indictment, she may face permanent disability from the injury.
The woman had been sitting in the family’s Tesla when the collision occurred. The victim’s son, who is also the woman’s husband, was standing beside the vehicle at the time and was put in danger but escaped physical harm.
Driver Fled the Scene
The teenage driver did not remain at the scene after the collision. Instead, he fled and was only arrested several hours later that night. When he appeared in preliminary court proceedings the following day, he was visibly emotional and cried multiple times as prosecutors described the fatal consequences of the crash.
The defendant has been held in pre-trial detention since his arrest. A name ban protects both the teenage defendant and the deceased victim from public identification.
Evidence of Substance Impairment
Prosecutors allege the teenage driver was operating the vehicle under the influence of multiple substances at the time of the fatal collision. Blood tests revealed both THC and nitrous oxide in his system. The case has become a focal point in Denmark’s ongoing debate about driving on laughing gas and youth substance abuse.
Video Evidence Surfaces
The day after the crash, video footage began circulating online showing the defendant in the same Porsche Cayenne. In the clips, he appears to inhale from a canister while driving. Police have charged him with possession of two canisters of nitrous oxide. According to sources, these videos were recorded on the same day as the fatal collision and will be presented as evidence during the trial.
Pattern of Impaired Driving
The indictment reveals this was not an isolated incident of substance use behind the wheel. Three weeks before the fatal crash, on July 30, 2025, the defendant tested positive for both cannabis and cocaine in his bloodstream during a traffic stop on Herlev Hovedgade. Police also found 0.6 grams of cocaine in his possession at that time. This pattern strengthens the prosecution’s argument for aggravated circumstances.
Extreme Speeding Hours Before Crash
The same morning as the fatal collision, police clocked the defendant driving at extreme speeds on Frederikssundsmotorvejen through Albertslund. At approximately 8:00 a.m., he was traveling at a minimum speed of 201 kilometers per hour in a zone with a 110 kilometer per hour limit.
Multiple Traffic Violations
During this morning incident, the defendant was also allegedly using a handheld mobile phone while driving. The indictment lists several other traffic offenses committed before the fatal crash. These violations paint a picture of repeated reckless behavior on the day that ended in tragedy.
The combination of excessive speed, mobile device use, and subsequent substance impairment demonstrates what prosecutors describe as a pattern of dangerous driving. This evidence supports their case for manslaughter under aggravating circumstances rather than simple negligence.
Legal License to Drive
Despite his young age and reckless behavior, the defendant held a valid driver’s license at the time of the crash. He also had legal permission to operate the Porsche Cayenne involved in the collision. Denmark changed its laws on July 1, 2024, allowing 17-year-olds to drive without an experienced adult passenger, a requirement that previously existed. Authorities have stated they are closely monitoring whether this policy change leads to increased accidents among young drivers.
Criminal Charges and Legal Response
The now 18-year-old defendant faces multiple serious charges stemming from the August incident. His defense attorney, Mette Grith Stage, confirms he admits to reckless manslaughter. However, he denies that the offense occurred under aggravating circumstances, which would constitute a more serious charge often referred to as vanvidskørsel or “insane driving” in Danish law.
Prosecution Seeks Severe Penalties
Prosecutors have filed charges including reckless manslaughter under aggravating circumstances, reckless bodily harm, and endangering additional persons. They argue that his substance impairment and pattern of dangerous driving that day constitute aggravating factors. The prosecution is demanding permanent revocation of his driving license and confiscation of the Porsche Cayenne. The trial began February 10, 2026, at Frederiksberg Court, with a verdict expected on February 11.
New Laws Target Nitrous Oxide
The BabySam case accelerated Danish legislative action on nitrous oxide. From November 10, 2025, just three months after the fatal crash, Danish law began treating nitrous oxide detection in blood tests the same as hard drugs. This means prosecutors no longer need to prove impairment level. Simply testing positive for the substance is now sufficient for conviction on drug-impaired driving charges. The timing of this legal change reflects public pressure following high-profile incidents like the Valby collision.
Community Impact and Victim Remembrance
In the days following the tragedy, an enormous memorial of flowers appeared outside the BabySam store. Mourners also left numerous bottles of Coca-Cola Zero, which was the victim’s favorite drink. The victim’s son told DR in August that his father was a well-liked and recognized figure in their local community.
Family Seeks Justice
The victim’s son, who witnessed the collision and is called as a witness in the trial, stated that his family simply wants justice for his father. The son is listed as an injured party in the case because he was exposed to danger during the incident. The family has been unable to speak publicly in detail due to the court-imposed name ban protecting both the victim and defendant.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Driving on Laughing Gas Now Punishable as Drug Use
DR: 18-årig på anklagebænken for ulykke med lattergas i blodet: Bedstefar dræbt foran BabySam
Nordjyske: Tiltale dødsbillist taget med stof i blodet tre uger før ulykke
JydskeVestkysten: 18-årig anklages for at køre 65-årig ihjel ved BabySam
