Details of the investigation after the tragedy in Sosnowiec. Experts are examining the driver's phone and there are no signs of braking

On Saturday, the spokesman for the District Prosecutor's Office in Sosnowiec, Bartosz Kilian, appealed to abandon attempts to independently identify the suspect responsible for the accident in which MP Łukasz Litewka died. Investigators warn that initiatives aimed at “public lynching” may result in criminal liability.

Appeal to public opinion

Prosecutor Kilian formulated a firm appeal to the public in connection with Internet users' attempts to establish the identity of the suspect.

– There are reports of initiatives aimed at identifying the suspect as part of social activities. I would like to ask everyone not to give in to this kind of temptation. It is up to the procedural authorities to thoroughly investigate this event and settle it, the spokesman appealed.

He pointed out that the ideas appearing online about offering rewards for information about a man's identity or place of residence are extremely dangerous.

– We are one step away from behavior that may fall within the scope of criminal law. We are one step away from calling for a public lynching and committing a crime to the detriment of the suspect. This type of activity is completely contrary to the good of the ongoing investigation, the prosecutor noted. He warned that any assistance in helping to reach this person in order to harm him or her may result in “the need to initiate separate proceedings against these persons.”

Such actions may also, according to the prosecutor, result in complications for the procedural authorities, who, instead of continuing to investigate the case, will have to focus on delegating additional forces and means to protect the suspect himself.

Answering questions about the nature of the incident, the prosecutor's office indicated that the act currently charged against the suspect was unintentional. – This is a crime punishable by a severe penalty, ranging from 6 months to 8 years of imprisonment. Nevertheless, there is no intentionality in any of its features, emphasized prosecutor Kilian.

Appeal to eyewitnesses

At the same time, the prosecutor's office repeated an appeal to eyewitnesses of the event who have not yet reported to law enforcement agencies to contact the police or the prosecutor's office. – We are aware of this pressure and social expectations and we are making every effort to objectively and comprehensively explain the entire incident – assured the spokesman.

The prosecutor also informed again about the decision of the District Court in Dąbrowa Górnicza regarding preventive measures against the man suspected of causing the tragic accident.

– The District Court agreed to the application (…) – ordered the man to be isolated for three months. However, he added a condition in his decision, according to which in the event of a payment of PLN 40,000. PLN surety property, the man will have the right to leave custody and will then be subject to libertarian measures, i.e. police supervision and a ban on leaving the country, the prosecutor said. The deadline for the suspect to submit bail is 14 days.

He added that this ruling does not fully correspond to the prosecutor's conclusions and will be subject to a thorough analysis with a view to a possible appeal. – At the beginning of next week, the reference prosecutor will decide whether he will appeal the ruling or whether we will agree with the view presented by the court – commented prosecutor Kilian.

Investigators are examining the driver's phone

The prosecutor's office also referred to the secured evidence, including a mobile phone belonging to the suspect. The device is subject to detailed tests to determine whether it was “used by the driver immediately before the collision with the injured party.” Investigators confirmed that the perpetrator's car was technically sound and had license plates.

– All its elements were collected during the inspection and are currently at the disposal of law enforcement agencies. They will be subject to procedural use in accordance with investigation tactics and growing investigative needs, the spokesman explained.

Proc. Kilian also added that investigators have the results of a comprehensive examination of the suspect's general health, which was described as “good.” More detailed analyzes to verify any specific ailments are expected to be delivered in the coming weeks. The prosecutor's office also revealed that at the time of the accident the man had worked eight hours, i.e. “a full day's work.”

On Friday evening, the spokesman said that the suspect was liable under Art. 177 of the Penal Code, causing a fatal traffic accident. This act is punishable by six months to eight years' imprisonment.

– The charge against this man emphasizes the fact that he unintentionally violated the rules of road traffic and also unintentionally caused the death of Mr Litewka – said the prosecutor.

The suspect confessed to committing the alleged act – both at the police station and in the prosecutor's office – and provided extensive explanations. – It balances between loss of consciousness, momentary distraction, or possibly complete oblivion as to the course of the event. However, from certain materials we already have, we conclude that these statements can only establish a line of defense – explained prosecutor Kilian. According to him, some of the man's statements “raise doubts”, which is why the reference prosecutor saw grounds to refer the case to the court.

Proc. Kilian said that the detainee spent much of Friday undergoing medical examinations to assess his health condition. As he noted, the doctors did not find any circumstances that would prevent the suspect from participating in the proceedings or bringing him criminally liable.

He added that blood was taken from the man for extensive toxicological tests to show whether there were any psychoactive substances in his body at the time of the incident. However, the prosecutor emphasized that tests giving immediate results did not reveal such circumstances.

Proc. Kilian added that no signs of braking were revealed during the inspection of the scene of the accident. The expert's preliminary findings also show that there was no speeding, but – as the spokesman noted – these are preliminary findings that will be verified in the course of specialized tests. Conducting process experiments was also possible.

The prosecutor's office also stated that in accordance with previous arrangements MP Litewka rode his bicycle correctly. The complaint states that the suspect “not properly controlling the line of travel with his car, changed the traffic path, drove into the opposite lane and hit a cyclist who was moving correctly.”

Autopsy results

According to the autopsy, the injured party suffered mainly injuries to the lower limb. Key arteries transporting blood were severed, which resulted in very heavy hemorrhaging, which was the direct cause of the MP's death.

The tragic accident occurred on Thursday around 13. According to preliminary findings, a 57-year-old resident of Sosnowicz, driving a Mitsubishi Colt, collided with an MP riding a bicycle from the opposite direction. Łukasz Litewka died despite resuscitation. The driver of the Mitsubishi was detained.

Łukasz Litewka was known for his charitable and social activities. His #TeamLitewka foundation includes, among others: through social media, she publicized and supported the treatment of children and the rescue of animals; responded to difficult situations in the local community, collecting funds for rehabilitation equipment and help for accident victims.

During the campaign before the 2023 parliamentary elections, Łukasz Litewka placed on election posters images of dogs from a local shelter waiting for adoption, with their names and telephone contact details. After the campaign, Litewka's banners were used as insulation material for shelter boxes. (PAP)

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