The accident occurred on June 13, 2014, at approximately 10:00 a.m. on the road between Niemstów and Miłosna (Lubin commune). The 30-year-old defendant Łukasz S. from Oleśnica Mała was driving a MAN truck with a trailer toward Miłosna. Reaching a speed of 85 km/h, he began overtaking a female cyclist. However, he misjudged the situation on the road, as at that moment the injured party was approaching from the opposite direction in a Scania truck.
To avoid a collision, the defendant began braking sharply, but lost control of the vehicle and entered the left lane. Although the injured party moved onto the roadside in an evasive maneuver and also braked, the drivers were unable to avoid the accident and collided with each other. Both were sober.
As a result of the accident, the injured party suffered bodily injuries including rupture of the root of the small intestine mesentery with bleeding into the peritoneal cavity, hemorrhagic shock and postoperative respiratory failure. A forensic medical expert classified these injuries as a disease that posed a real threat to life.
An expert in road accident reconstruction determined that the cause of the incident was the defendant exceeding the speed limit applicable to heavy vehicles at that location by approximately 15 km/h, as well as braking abruptly and in a manner that endangered road traffic safety. It is worth noting that, according to the expert, the Scania driver also contributed to the accident because he was likewise driving 15 km/h too fast. However, Łukasz S. caused the dangerous situation.
S., who had not previously been convicted, was charged with causing an accident resulting in serious bodily harm to another person. The man did not admit guilt and refused to give explanations.
The defendant faces up to 8 years in prison. The case will be heard by the court in Lubin.
District Prosecutor’s Office in Legnica/ii