Łódź: Driver hits cyclist twice after being reprimanded, faces life in prison

A 34-year-old driver in Łódź intentionally struck a 48-year-old cyclist twice following a traffic altercation on July 22, leaving the victim with severe injuries and now facing life imprisonment.

The Incident on Krótka Street

The incident occurred on July 22 on Krótka Street in Łódź. According to Junior Officer Kamila Sowińska from the Łódź Provincial Police Headquarters, a 34-year-old driver of a Mercedes failed to exercise caution and entered a marked and designated bicycle lane, forcing a cyclist to brake sharply and change direction.

Reports indicate that the 48-year-old cyclist then approached the car to reprimand the driver. When the cyclist stood by the front right door, the suspect reversed while steering to the left, hitting the victim. After this maneuver, the 34-year-old drove forward, then reversed and intentionally struck and ran over the victim, an event captured by surveillance cameras.

Severe Injuries and Drug Findings

As a result of the incident, the 48-year-old sustained severe injuries, including open fractures of his left leg. The Mercedes driver then drove away without rendering aid to the victim. Prosecutors stated that the suspect was driving under the influence of intoxicating substances.

The suspect was detained the following day in Piotrków Trybunalski. According to the spokesperson for the District Prosecutor’s Office in Łódź, Paweł Jasiak, tests confirmed the 34-year-old was intoxicated while driving, and during a search of his residence, police officers found over 200 grams of drugs.

Charges and Court Decision

At the Łódź-Polesie Prosecutor’s Office, the man was charged with attempting to cause grievous bodily harm in the form of a life-threatening illness that could have resulted in death, causing injury, and driving under the influence of an intoxicant, carrying a penalty of up to life imprisonment. He was also charged with possession of significant quantities of drugs, carrying a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.

During questioning, the suspect did not admit to the alleged crimes. The prosecutor submitted a motion to the court for a three-month pre-trial detention, citing a flight risk due to the suspect’s foreign citizenship and the severe penalty he faces. The court granted the motion in full.