The district court in Suwałki reduced the prison term for a 21‑year‑old man convicted of causing a fatal traffic accident near Kolonie Lipsk on September 30, 2024.
Court Lowers Sentence
The Suwałki District Court cut the total imprisonment sentence for the 21‑year‑old from 15 to 12 years. The sentence consists of 11 years for the first offence—causing the fatal crash—and 1 year for driving under the influence. The second part of the sentence, the driving‑under‑influence charge, was upheld.
Finality of Verdict
Judge Jacek Sowul explained that the offences were involuntary and the defendant’s youth warranted a lighter penalty. He deemed the original 15‑year sentence excessive and stated the verdict is final and binding.
Details of Fatal Accident
On the night between September 29 and 30, 2024, a 20‑year‑old driver, Krzysztof O., operating an Audi while drunk, failed to exercise due caution while overtaking. His vehicle collided with a road—resulting in the passenger, 19‑year‑old Patrycja, eight months pregnant, being ejected into the side ditch. She was transferred to a hospital where she died along with her unborn child. The driver tested at 1.2 promille and was already subject to three court mandates prohibiting him from driving.
The incident occurred in Kolonie Lipsk, Augustów County, Podlaskie Voivodeship.