The incident occurred on Tuesday, 18 August, on Bankowa Street in Bolesławiec. A 31-year-old resident of Legnica, driving a Citroën Jumper, hit an elderly couple—a woman aged 81 and her 83-year-old husband—who were on the pedestrian and bicycle path while reversing.
Both were taken to hospital. At the time, police already stated that the final classification of the incident would depend, among other things, on the injuries sustained by the victims.
Initially, police described it as a collision
On 24 September, police told the editorial office that, based on preliminary information concerning the victims’ injuries, the incident had been classified as a collision.
– Based on preliminary information concerning the injuries of the injured parties, the incident was classified as a collision – Sub-Inspector istotne.pl Anna Kublik-Rościszewska, press officer of the Bolesławiec District Police Headquarters, told the
service.The situation changed after more complete medical documentation was obtained.
– At the beginning of September, police officers received medical documentation concerning the victims’ injuries. As a result, we asked a forensic medicine expert to issue an opinion on the nature and extent of the injuries sustained
– police reported.
According to the medical documentation previously provided to the editorial office, the 81-year-old woman suffered, among other injuries, a traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage and an extensive wound to the back of her left forearm. She was in hospital from 18 to 27 August.
The medical documentation also described a contusion of the ankle joint and facial injuries. After being discharged from hospital, the woman again reported to the emergency department because of significant swelling and bruising of her left lower limb.
Her 83-year-old husband was also taken to hospital. He suffered, among other injuries, a head injury, a bruised right elbow and numerous abrasions. He was discharged after the diagnostic examination was completed.
Expert opinion changes classification
The forensic medicine expert’s opinion was crucial. It was only after receiving it that police decided to change the direction of further proceedings.
On 1 October, police stated that the classification of the case—only in the case of the elderly woman—had changed. We were told: – In connection with the expert’s opinion concerning the victim’s injuries, further proceedings will be conducted in the direction of a road accident.
In the case of the elderly man, proceedings are still being conducted in the direction of a collision.
Family speaks about the 81-year-old woman’s serious condition
Immediately after the incident, the daughter of the injured couple told the editorial office how serious her parents’ condition was.
She said at the time that her 81-year-old mother had difficulty moving independently after being hit.
– Mum is in hospital and I am very worried about her condition. She cannot get out of bed on her own because she faints – the woman who reported the incident said.
She also stressed that both parents had been injured: – They both have numerous injuries—a broken tooth, an injured arm and lots of bruises.
In an emotional appeal, she drew attention to the particular danger of reversing a car in a place used by pedestrians: – All it would have taken was looking before starting to reverse.
And she added:
Before driving onto or starting to reverse on a pavement—CHECK THAT THERE IS NO ONE THERE.
