Polish prosecutor Dariusz K. was detained near Grzegorzew on Thursday after a car crash, where he allegedly asked a police officer to blow for him; he now faces two criminal accusations.
What Exactly Happened?
On Thursday around 4:30 p.m., a collision occurred on national road 92w near the town of Grzegorzew in the Greater Poland region. Prosecutor Dariusz K.’s vehicle struck a stationary car that had stopped due to a traffic control loop. The stopped vehicle carried a four‑person family, including two children. Witnesses said K. tried to avoid the collision and move into the emergency lane, but a traffic controller prevented the maneuver. Both cars sustained damage, and the Prokuratura Krajowa reported that witnesses observed K. displaying signs of intoxication: slurred speech, chaotic movements, unsteady walking, and hyperactivity.
Surprising Proposition of the Prosecutor
At the scene, two officers from the Road Traffic Department of the KPP in Kole approached the prosecutor. K. insisted that nothing had occurred and then impeded a breath‑alyzer test, first breaking his nostril and then blowing only superficially to thwart a proper measurement. He also claimed to be a prosecutor and asked one of the officers if he could “blow for him.” The officer declined, reported the incident to the duty officer, and K. repeated the request to a second officer.
What the Investigations Revealed
Police arrested K. and transported him to a hospital in Kole for blood tests to detect alcohol, after he had initially refused a breath‑alyzer. An empty 0.5‑liter vodka bottle was discovered in his vehicle. Blood samples taken at 19:12, 19:28 and 19:45 showed concentrations of 2.10, 2.09 and 2.05 promille, respectively. According to Article 115(16) of the Polish Criminal Code, intoxication is established when alcohol in the blood exceeds 0.5 promille.
Prosecutor Faces Two Charges
On December 12, Dariusz K. was suspended from his duties by the District Prosecutor in Konin. That same day, the Internal Affairs Prosecutor of the National Prosecutor’s Office submitted a petition to the Supreme Court to lift K.’s immunity and bring him before criminal jurisdiction. When the request was accepted on December 13, he was formally charged with two offences: driving under the influence (Article 178a(1), punishable by up to three years’ imprisonment) and inciting police officers to exceed their authority and obstruct criminal proceedings (Articles 18(2), 231(1), and 239, punishable by up to five years). K. refused to give explanations. Protective measures were imposed, including suspension from official duties, a driving ban, and a prohibition on leaving the country.
EU Driving Licence Reforms
On 21 October, the European Parliament adopted new rules intended to enhance road safety and reduce accidents. Member states have three years to implement the changes. Under the new regulations, revocation of a licence in one country will be recognised across the entire EU. Previously, a driver who lost a foreign licence could still operate a vehicle in other EU states, including their home country. The reforms mandate the exchange of information and introduce a two‑year probationary period for new drivers. They also impose harsher penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The age threshold for driving will be lowered to 17, although such drivers must travel with experienced drivers and a licence is valid for 15 years; renewal procedures will either require medical exams or a self‑assessment.