A minor collision in Warsaw’s Ochota district involving a “famous” Ford driver led to license suspension and a court referral following a suspicious cash settlement attempt.
The Collision at Ochota
On Friday, May 8, after 1:00 PM, a Ford Focus and a Peugeot collided at the intersection of Żwirki i Wigury and Wawelskiej streets in Warsaw’s Ochota district. The incident occurred as the Peugeot driver turned from the left lane into the second lane from the left, rather than the leftmost lane of Wawelska.
At the same time, a Ford Focus was traveling in the right lane of Żwirki i Wigury. The vehicles made contact, with the Ford grazing the Peugeot’s rear wheel. The vehicles initially stopped on Wawelska, after which the Ford driver suggested moving to the nearby Czubatki Street.
The Cash Settlement Attempt
At Czubatki Street, the Ford driver reportedly proposed settling the matter without police involvement by paying the Peugeot driver 1500 PLN as compensation for damages. Although the Peugeot driver was initially unsure of her liability, she decided to call the authorities after learning the identity of the other participant.
Police Intervention and Legal Consequences
A motorcycle patrol from the Warsaw Metropolitan Police arrived and reviewed the accounts and dashcam footage. Officers noted that the Ford driver had empty lanes available to his right, suggesting he failed to exercise the caution required by road traffic laws to avoid damage.
The police decided to refer the case to court and suspended the Ford driver’s driving privileges. They also announced a request to the district head to assess the driver’s fitness to operate a vehicle due to his health status.
Technical Failures and Driver History
During the intervention, police found the Ford Focus in poor technical condition, citing fluid leaks, loose body elements including the wheel arch and front bumper, and unattached headlights. The vehicle was removed from traffic, and the driver was ordered to call a tow truck. The driver was also asked to produce a fire extinguisher and a warning triangle; he stated he had no triangle and was fined 1000 PLN, which he accepted.
Investigations suggest this driver has been involved in multiple collisions in Warsaw over recent months, often using a pattern of proposing cash settlements of approximately 600 to 1500 PLN. Such individuals are often referred to in the insurance industry as “accident hunters.”
