Following his death in a bicycle accident, Polish MP Łukasz Litewka will be honored with a state funeral in Sosnowiec, officials announced.
MP’s Funeral Details Released
The President of Sosnowiec, Arkadiusz Chęciński, announced that following a service, the late MP will be laid to rest at the cemetery on Zuzanny Street. The Sejm Chancellery confirmed the state funeral designation due to Litewka’s parliamentary mandate.
Further details regarding the funeral arrangements will be released in subsequent statements, according to Chęciński.
Circumstances of the Accident
The accident occurred on Thursday around 1:00 PM in Dąbrowa Górnicza. Preliminary police investigations suggest the 57-year-old driver of a Mitsubishi Colt may have fallen asleep or become unwell, causing him to cross into the opposite lane and collide with MP Litewka, who was riding a bicycle.
Despite resuscitation efforts, Łukasz Litewka died at the scene. The driver was detained.
Driver Arrested, Faces Charges
On Saturday morning, a court in Dąbrowa Górnicza ordered a three-month arrest for the 57-year-old driver suspected of causing the fatal accident. The arrest is conditional; the suspect can be released upon payment of a 40,000 złoty bail and will be subject to police supervision and a travel ban.
Prosecutors will decide early next week whether to appeal the conditional arrest ruling.
Charges and Potential Sentence
The prosecutor’s office has charged the driver with unintentionally causing a fatal accident. The 57-year-old has admitted guilt and faces a prison sentence of six months to eight years.
Political and Charitable Activities
Łukasz Litewka served as a councilor in Sosnowiec from 2014, representing the SLD-Lewica-Razem coalition, and was re-elected four years later. In 2019, he ran for Sejm on the Social Democratic Alliance list but did not win a seat.
After the SLD transformed into New Left, he became a member and successfully secured a parliamentary mandate in the 2023 elections, even surpassing New Left chairman Włodzimierz Czarzasty despite being last on the list.
Charitable Work and Legacy
Litewka was also known for his charitable and social work. His foundation, #TeamLitewka, used social media to raise awareness and support for children’s medical treatments, animal welfare, and local community needs, collecting funds for rehabilitation equipment and aid for accident victims.
He was posthumously awarded the Honorary Badge for Merits for the Silesian Voivodeship for his social activities.