Fatal accident perpetrator Łukasz Ż. to be extradited to Poland

The Warsaw District Prosecutor’s Office shared details of the case on the X platform, stating: "The German court has approved the extradition of Łukasz Ż. to Poland under the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) procedure. The perpetrator of the accident on Trasa Łazienkowska will be transported to Warsaw next week," as reported on Thursday after 10 a.m.

Later, spokesperson for the Warsaw District Prosecutor's Office, Piotr Antoni Skiba, informed on TVN24 that Polish authorities have received notification from Germany about the decision to extradite Łukasz Ż., the suspect in a fatal accident on September 15. "The suspect is scheduled to be extradited and transported to Warsaw next week. Immediate procedural actions with the suspect are planned for the end of next week," the prosecutor confirmed.

Asked about Łukasz Ż.'s health condition, Skiba replied: "We have requested his medical documentation from the German side under the European Investigation Order, but it has not yet been provided. I believe it will be handed over along with the suspect." Skiba also assured that the prosecutor’s office is prepared to "quickly review the documentation."

Regarding the suspect's handover process, Skiba noted that Poland’s international police cooperation unit is currently coordinating logistics. "The suspect will be brought to the prosecutor's office to carry out necessary actions," he added.

Asked about the specific charges, Skiba listed them as "causing a fatal accident by violating traffic rules, fleeing the scene, and violating a driving ban."

Skiba further mentioned that other individuals involved in the case remain in temporary custody. "There were appeals from defense attorneys against these preventive measures, but the Warsaw District Court rejected them. At this stage, the charges against these individuals have not changed," he noted.

In early October, Skiba had confirmed that German authorities were fulfilling the European Investigation Order (EIO) related to the case. In connection with the fatal accident on Trasa Łazienkowska, six individuals currently hold the status of suspects.

Łukasz Ż., suspected of causing the accident while driving a Volkswagen Arteon and fleeing the scene, faces charges of causing a fatal traffic accident, driving under the influence, and violating a court-imposed driving ban. If convicted, he could face between 9 months and 12 years in prison.

Skiba revealed that others helped him escape the scene. Onlookers Mikołaj N., Damian J., and Maciej O., who were present at the accident, did not assist the victims and instead facilitated Łukasz Ż.’s escape, according to Skiba. These men face charges of failure to render aid and aiding a fugitive, with potential sentences of up to 3 years for the former and 3 months to 5 years for the latter. They are currently in custody for three months.

Łukasz Ż. has a long record of offenses, including multiple instances of driving under the influence, driving without a license, fraud, and drug possession. Last year, he received a blanket driving ban for all motor vehicles.

The accident took place on the night of September 14-15 on Trasa Łazienkowska near the Torwar arena, on the lane heading toward Praga. The Volkswagen, allegedly driven by Łukasz Ż., smashed into a Ford, causing it to crash into the guardrails. The accident tragically claimed the life of a husband and father.

A family of four was traveling in the Ford. A 37-year-old passenger in the car was killed in the crash. Three other people from the Ford, the 37-year-old woman driving and two children aged four and eight, were hospitalized. A woman traveling in the Volkswagen was also transported to the hospital.

The three men in the Volkswagen were intoxicated. The 22-year-old had a blood alcohol level of over 2 per mille, while the 27-year-old and 28-year-old each had more than 1 per mille. The fourth man, who was allegedly driving the car and fled the scene of the accident was Łukasz Ż. He was later apprehended in Lübeck, Germany.