A Polish court dismissed proceedings against ex-Prime Minister Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz, accused of hitting a cyclist in Hajnówka in 2019.
Accusation and Incident Details
The case concerned an incident that occurred on May 4, 2019, at a marked pedestrian crossing in Hajnówka, Podlaskie. The indictment stated that a 70-year-old cyclist was struck by a car driven by former Member of the European Parliament and past Prime Minister Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz (who consented to data publication and image use).
The cyclist sustained a fractured shinbone, facial abrasions, and hand injuries.
Prosecution’s Claims
Prosecutors alleged that Cimoszewicz negligently violated traffic safety regulations, failed to observe the road carefully, and did not exercise due caution. They claimed he braked too late when approaching the crossing, causing the accident, and then left the scene.
Cimoszewicz’s Defense
Cimoszewicz stated he drove the injured cyclist home. He did not admit responsibility for the accident, maintaining he was traveling at the speed limit and the cyclist entered the crossing unexpectedly.
He also asserted he did not flee the scene but, at the cyclist’s request, transported her home with friends, after which she decided to go to the hospital.
Court Ruling and Dismissal
The Hajnówka District Court, hearing the case in the first instance, found insufficient evidence to prove Cimoszewicz’s guilt in causing the accident, and doubts remained unresolved.
The court assessed that the behavior considered “leaving the scene” constituted a petty offense, and proceedings in that regard were dismissed due to the statute of limitations.
