Łukasz Żak Trial: Witness Reveals Post-Crash Intimidation

During Wednesday’s hearing in the Łukasz Żak trial regarding the fatal Trasa Łazienkowska accident, a key witness testified that the defendant threatened her and her partner following the collision.

Delayed Proceedings and Witness Testimony

The trial, which began in June 2025 at the Warsaw-Śródmieście District Court, saw a delay on Wednesday after a scheduled expert witness failed to appear. Consequently, the court could not close the judicial inquiry.

Sara S., who was a passenger in the Volkswagen Arteon, provided testimony while the defendants were removed from the courtroom at her request. She admitted to previous inconsistencies in her statements, which she attributed to fear of retaliation from Żak.

Threats and Reckless Driving

The witness testified that after the crash, Żak threatened her and her partner, stating, “We were to shut up, or he would take a knife.” She further claimed that Żak had suggested he had killed a man during the incident.

Sara S. also recounted the vehicle’s speed, noting she observed the speedometer reach 171 km/h, while her partner later informed her it hit 191 km/h. She expressed regret for failing to notify emergency services immediately following the event.

Background of the Fatal Accident

The accident occurred on September 15, 2024, when a speeding Volkswagen collided with a Ford on Warsaw’s Trasa Łazienkowska, killing a 37-year-old passenger. The driver of the Ford and her two children were hospitalized, alongside Paulina K., who was traveling with Żak.

Investigators determined that Żak was intoxicated and using his mobile phone at the time of the crash, allegedly reaching speeds of 226 km/h in an 80 km/h zone. Following the incident, Żak fled the country and was later apprehended in Lübeck, Germany, under a European Arrest Warrant.