The incident took place in Złotoryja. Police determined that the 42-year-old Audi driver cut off the driver of a Volkswagen, who was travelling with friends.
The man then got out of the car. He was holding a machete and headed toward the Volkswagen. Seeing the dangerous object, the driver began reversing sharply. As a result, the Volkswagen left the road and ended up in a roadside ditch.
The 42-year-old then returned to his Audi and drove away from the scene. The Volkswagen driver notified the authorities.
Police officers gave chase
During their investigation, police received information from a passing witness. The man said that nearby, in a roadside ditch, there was a car lying on its roof, and that a man next to it was behaving suspiciously.
The officers went to the indicated location. They saw a man walking near the overturned vehicle and activated the police car’s lights and siren.
The 42-year-old reacted immediately. He began fleeing on foot. The police officers chased him and, after a short pursuit, subdued and arrested the suspect.
It turned out that the man had keys matching the Audi in the roadside ditch. A check of police databases also showed that his driving privileges had been revoked and that he was additionally subject to a driving ban.
Drugs were found on the 42-year-old
The police officers’ work did not end there. Dried plant material and a crystalline substance were found on the arrested man. Initially, he tried to convince the officers that one of the seized substances was salt and that the dried material was marijuana intended for medical purposes.
Preliminary tests nevertheless showed that the seized substances were methamphetamine and marijuana.
The officers also checked whether the 42-year-old was sober. A breathalyser test showed 0.26 per mille of alcohol in his exhaled air. Blood was also taken from the man for further tests, including to determine whether he was under the influence of substances producing effects similar to alcohol.
In the Audi, officers found and secured a knife resembling a machete.
Passenger taken to hospital
As a result of the incident, the Audi’s passenger sustained bodily injuries and was taken to hospital, where she received medical care.
The 42-year-old was arrested and placed in police custody. An investigative team worked at the scene and carried out an inspection. The car was secured for further procedural activities.
Police are still clarifying the detailed circumstances of the incident. The man’s liability will depend, among other things, on the results of the tests carried out and the findings of the proceedings.
For the offences committed, the 42-year-old could face up to 5 years in prison and a lifelong driving ban.