Drunk driver in Leszno causes three-car crash

10 September 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

A drunk driver in Leszno caused a three-car crash on provincial road 579; no serious injuries reported. Read what this means for expats.

The incident started at about 16:30 on provincial road 579 in Leszno, Warsaw West County. A drunk driver in Leszno hit two other cars, and emergency services closed the road.

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What happened at the scene

Police say a 49-year-old man driving an Infiniti first collided with a Kia and then struck a Volkswagen head-on. Consequently, one car went into a roadside ditch. Moreover, the other two vehicles suffered heavy front-end damage. However, medics checked all occupants and did not find injuries requiring hospital treatment. Fire crews secured the scene and removed hazards. In addition, paramedics examined drivers and passengers at the site.

Police findings and immediate consequences

Officers tested the Infiniti driver with a breathalyser. The device showed 0.63 promila alcohol in his blood. Therefore, police detained the man and started a criminal investigation. In Poland, more than 0.5 promila usually counts as criminal intoxication under Article 178a. Consequently, the driver faces possible jail time, a heavy fine, and a driving ban. Moreover, insurers often refuse full claims after drunk driving. Therefore, victims may need civil claims for damages.

Why this matters for expats

This crash shows how quickly routine travel can turn dangerous. Moreover, road closures on voivodeship roads like 579 cause delays across small towns. In addition, Leszno sits in the Mazovia region near Warsaw, and commuters use these roads daily. Therefore, foreign drivers should know Polish rules and enforcement practices. For example, a “mandat” means a fine. In addition, PESEL is the national ID number used by authorities to check records. Also, NFZ refers to the National Health Fund (public health insurance). Finally, ZUS is the social insurance institution (for pensions and benefits).

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: If police stop you, cooperate and show documents. Moreover, if you live here, register for a PESEL or carry your passport. In addition, know that Polish police can ask for a breath test and order a blood test if needed. Therefore, refuse to drive after drinking. Also, keep your insurer informed after any crash. Finally, consult a lawyer if police charge you, because criminal charges can affect your right to stay or work.

Police continue to investigate the exact circumstances of the three-car crash and to determine whether alcohol caused the initial collision. Consequently, officers will review witness statements and any CCTV evidence. Moreover, road repairs and vehicle recovery delayed traffic for hours. However, authorities reopened the road after clearing the wrecks.

For expats, this event is a reminder that Polish traffic law treats drink-driving as a serious crime. Therefore, plan travel carefully and use taxis after drinking. In addition, learn local terms like mandat, PESEL, NFZ, and ZUS to ease any interaction with services or authorities.

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