Marcin J., the former marshal of the Lubusz region, has been legally convicted for a June 2025 collision on the S3 expressway, though a court has shortened his initial driving ban.
The S3 Expressway Incident
The legal troubles for Marcin J. stemmed from an incident on June 26, 2025. While driving a state-owned Skoda Superb on the S3 route between Sulechów and Zielona Góra, he collided with a BMW and subsequently hit energy-absorbing barriers. No injuries were reported, and the event was initially categorized as a collision.
Video footage later emerged showing the Skoda tailgating another vehicle and passing it on the right. Upon returning to the left lane, the Skoda made contact with the other car before scraping the roadside barriers.
Legal Proceedings and Initial Verdict
Following the crash, police officers confiscated the marshal’s driver’s license and filed a motion for punishment after he refused to accept a ticket. The matter drew significant public criticism. On December 8 of last year, the District Court in Świebodzin found Marcin J. guilty of a traffic offense, imposing a 4,000 PLN fine and an 18-month driving ban.
Appeal and Sentence Reduction
On May 19, Judge Bogumił Hoszowski of the District Court in Zielona Góra heard the appeal. While upholding the fine, the court reduced the driving ban to one year. The judge noted that the lower court had incorrectly considered the defendant’s previous traffic offenses, which were already cleared from his record.
Provocation by the Other Driver
The court also cited the behavior of the BMW driver as a factor in the decision. Judge Hoszowski stated that the BMW driver acted dangerously and provocatively, contributing to the collision. Evidence suggested the BMW driver destroyed his own dashcam memory card, further influencing the court’s assessment of his intent.
Resignation from Office
Following the controversy, Marcin J. announced his resignation as marshal on July 11. On August 18, 2025, the Lubusz Regional Assembly officially accepted his resignation and elected Sebastian Ciemnoczołowski as his successor.