Drunk Driver Detained After Crashing on Chotomów Roundabout

4 July 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Drunk driver arrested in Chotomów after crashing into a roundabout with nearly 2.9‰ alcohol; a witness held him until police arrived.

A 54-year-old man drove onto the central island of a roundabout in Chotomów and caused damage to road infrastructure. The drunk driver arrested had nearly 2.9 per mille alcohol in his breath, and a witness physically stopped him until police arrived.

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Drunk driver arrested in Chotomów

Officers from the Legionowo County Police responded to a call at around 15:00 on Thursday, June 25. Consequently, patrols from Legionowo and traffic units from Wieliszew and Nieporęt reached the scene quickly. The witness showed exemplary civic action, and therefore the suspect could not leave. Moreover, the suspect behaved aggressively and clearly showed signs of heavy intoxication. As a result, police tested him on a breathalyser and recorded almost 2.9 promile in the exhaled air.

What the police did next

The officers arrested the man and transported him to the detention room in Legionowo. In addition, they impounded his Opel and had it towed to a deposit parking lot. The prosecutor accepted a petition from the local police commander, and therefore ordered police supervision over the suspect. Moreover, authorities initiated criminal proceedings and already filed an indictment. The local commissariat in Jabłonna prosecutes the case under the supervision of the District Prosecutor’s Office in Legionowo.

Legal consequences and local specifics

Under Polish law, driving while intoxicated can carry up to three years in prison. In addition, courts may impose a high fine and a long driving ban. Furthermore, the state can order permanent confiscation of property, and therefore the vehicle may be forfeited to the State Treasury. However, the exact penalty depends on the court decision and case facts. Also, Polish authorities use terms like “dozór Policji” which means periodic reporting to police, similar to supervised release in other systems.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: If you witness or are involved in a traffic incident, call 112. Keep the police report number and get a copy. Remember that Polish institutions use specific terms: PESEL (national ID number), ZUS (social security), NFZ (public health insurer) and mandat (on-the-spot fine). If police place someone under “dozór Policji”, that person must report regularly to a local police station. Therefore, foreigners should keep insurance papers, passport copies, and contact their embassy. Finally, seek a local lawyer (adwokat or radca prawny) to navigate court procedures and property seizure rules.

Witness intervention likely prevented further damage and possible injuries. Consequently, the quick report helped secure evidence and ensure immediate action. Moreover, this case underlines the risks drunken driving poses to community safety. In addition, expats should note how Polish road patrols and prosecutors coordinate in such incidents. Therefore, anyone living in Poland should understand reporting rules and legal repercussions.

Authorities will continue the investigation, and the court will decide final penalties. Meanwhile, the suspect remains under police supervision and the vehicle stands secured as potential evidence and future confiscation.

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