68-year-old driver charged with property damage after Volkswagen damages Legionowo rescue pier on Lake Zegrzyński.
Incident Details
On Monday, February 16, shortly after 14:00, a 68-year-old man drove his Volkswagen onto the frozen surface of Lake Zegrzyński in the area of Southern Zegrze. While performing dangerous maneuvers on the ice, the car hit the pier used by the Legionowo Volunteer Water Rescue Service (WOPR), causing serious structural damage.
The incident was captured by WOPR surveillance cameras, which were shared on social media. The footage showed the driver destroyed two sections of the pier before driving back to shore and removing a damaged bumper element from his vehicle.
Legal Consequences
Police from the Nieporêt Police Station formally charged the man with property damage. This offense carries a potential penalty of up to 5 years in prison. The case is being supervised by the Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Legionowo.
Preliminary damages were estimated at tens of thousands of zlotys. The damaged pier was essential for mooring rescue boats and maintaining the readiness of emergency services.
Safety Warning
Authorities emphasized the dangers of driving vehicles onto frozen water bodies, noting the risk of ice breaking that could lead to life-threatening situations and significant material losses. The incident highlighted the importance of preserving rescue infrastructure for emergency response readiness.
