Drunk driver injures man at Ryki petrol station

1 September 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

A drunk driver hit pedestrian at a Ryki petrol station overnight; suspect arrested and charged with causing serious injury.

A drunk driver hit pedestrian at a petrol station in Ryki during the early hours. Consequently a 21-year-old man suffered serious injuries and the suspect fled the scene before police arrived.

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drunk driver hit pedestrian: what happened in Ryki

Police received a call around 04:00 local time on Monday. Witnesses told officers that the driver tried to leave the forecourt. Moreover they said the man appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. In addition witnesses moved to block the car to prevent it from driving away. However the driver accelerated suddenly. As a result he struck a 21-year-old local man who tried to stop the vehicle. The driver then drove off with a passenger. Meanwhile other witnesses stayed to help the injured man and to give statements to police. Consequently patrol officers arrived and provided first aid until emergency services came.

Arrest, charges and legal stakes

Investigators quickly identified a 22-year-old man as the likely driver. They located and arrested him at his home. A breath test showed nearly 1.5 promile of alcohol. Moreover the authorities found that he drove despite having his licence revoked. Therefore they detained him and secured the car at a police lot. The suspect now faces several criminal counts. He will answer for driving under the influence and for driving against a withdrawal decision. In addition police charged him with causing an injury classified as a heavy bodily harm. Finally both the driver and the 25-year-old passenger face charges for failing to help the victim.

Polish criminal law provides high penalties for such acts. For causing severe bodily harm the code allows up to 20 years in prison. For drunk driving and failing to give aid the law allows up to three years each. Moreover driving despite a revoked licence carries up to two years. Therefore prosecutors may seek multiple years behind bars depending on the final medical and legal findings.

Why this matters to expats in Poland

Ryki sits in Lublin Voivodeship, roughly halfway between Lublin and Warsaw. Consequently incidents there matter to travelers and commuters on regional roads. Moreover petrol stations often become flashpoints late at night. As a result witnesses and bystanders frequently play a key role in stopping dangerous drivers.

For expats some local details matter. In Poland the police service is called “Policja.” You should call 112 in an emergency. In addition know that medical care can involve the NFZ (National Health Fund) if you have public coverage. Also PESEL is your national ID number. Meanwhile ZUS handles social security. Finally a “mandat” is an on-the-spot fine, not a court sentence.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: If you witness a crash call 112 right away. Then stay safe and gather photos or video if possible. Moreover note any licence plates and witness names. If you or someone you know needs medical care, carry proof of insurance for NFZ access (National Health Fund). In addition contact your embassy or consulate for legal help if you do not speak Polish. Finally remember that refusing to help a victim can lead to criminal charges in Poland, and that a “mandat” means a fine. PESEL is the Polish ID number and may matter for hospital or police paperwork.

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