In Gdańsk, an appeal trial has begun in the case of Anna Sz., sentenced to 7 years in prison for fatally hitting 10-year-old Filip on a marked pedestrian crossing in Reda in December 2022. The boy's parents, acting as auxiliary prosecutors, are demanding a harsher sentence, emphasizing the defendant's lack of remorse and apology. The woman did not appear at the first appeal hearing, which followed a non-final judgment by the Gdańsk District Court from September 2025.

Appeal against 7-year prison sentence

66-year-old Anna Sz. was sentenced in September 2025 by the Gdańsk District Court to 7 years of imprisonment and a lifetime driving ban for causing an accident with a fatal outcome. Both the defendant's defense attorney and the deceased boy's parents have appealed the judgment, with the parents demanding a harsher sentence.

Tragedy at a crosswalk in Reda

The accident occurred on December 20, 2022, on Wejherowska Street in Reda. According to police findings, the driver of an opel mocca was overtaking stationary vehicles in the left lane, did not exercise particular caution, and struck 10-year-old Filip, who was crossing the marked pedestrian crossing. The boy died in hospital after several days.

Lack of remorse from the accused

The victim's family emphasizes that since the tragedy, Anna Sz. has not expressed remorse or apologized for causing the child's death. Filip's mother notes that the goal of the appeal is to obtain a sentence high enough to send a clear signal to society about the serious consequences of dangerous driving near pedestrian crossings.

Family's ongoing suffering

Four years have passed since the accident, and the boy's mother is still grappling with its consequences. She describes crying into her pillow at night and her life revolving around memories of her son. The sight of boys Filip's age makes her look away, and thoughts of the tragedy return outside of work hours.

Court composition and parties

During the first appeal hearing on February 26, 2026, the accused did not appear at the Gdańsk District Court. Present were prosecutor Jakub Chrząszcz from the Gdańsk District Prosecutor's Office, the defendant's defense attorney Tomasz Tuturusz, and Filip's family with their legal representative, acting as auxiliary prosecutors.

An appeal trial in a fatal traffic accident case that occurred in Reda in December 2022 has commenced at the Gdańsk District Court. 66-year-old Anna Sz. was sentenced last September to 7 years in prison for hitting and causing the death of 10-year-old Filip on a pedestrian crossing. Both the woman's defense attorney and the deceased boy's parents, acting as auxiliary prosecutors in the proceedings, have appealed the sentence, which is not yet final. The accused did not appear in court during the first hearing on February 26. In the Polish legal system, for the offense of causing an accident with a fatal outcome, defined in Article 177 § 2 of the penal code, the penalty is imprisonment from 2 to 12 years. When imposing a sentence, the court considers the degree of the perpetrator's guilt, the extent of the harm caused, motivation, as well as any mitigating or aggravating circumstances. In appeal cases, the second-instance court may uphold, change, or overturn the judgment and refer the case for reconsideration. The prosecution's charges and witness testimonies indicated that Anna Sz., driving an Opel Mokka on Wejherowska Street in Reda, was overtaking stationary vehicles in the left lane towards Wejherowo. She did not exercise particular caution at that time, which was the direct cause of hitting 10-year-old Filip, who was crossing the marked crossing. The boy died in hospital after several days due to the injuries sustained. The victim's mother, present at the appeal hearing, emphasized the complete lack of any signs of remorse or apology from the perpetrator over the past four years. „Chciałabym, żeby wyrok był na tyle wysoki, by dotarło do społeczeństwa, że za niebezpieczną jazdę przy pasach są poważne konsekwencje. Nie ma tu okoliczności łagodzących.” (I would like the sentence to be high enough for society to understand that there are serious consequences for dangerous driving near crosswalks. There are no mitigating circumstances here.) — Filip's Mother The family's expectations focus on increasing the sentence, which they consider disproportionate to the gravity of the act and the suffering they have endured. In her emotional statement, Filip's mother described the ongoing psychological consequences of the tragedy, speaking of daily pain and the inability to live a normal life. The appeal trial is proceeding in the absence of the accused, with prosecutor Jakub Chrząszcz, defense attorney Tomasz Tuturusz, and the deceased's family with their legal representative present in court. Further hearing dates will be set by the court.

Mentioned People

  • Anna Sz. — 66-year-old accused of causing a fatal traffic accident in Reda, sentenced to 7 years in prison.
  • Filip — 10-year-old boy who died in a traffic accident on a pedestrian crossing in Reda in December 2022.
  • Jakub Chrząszcz — Prosecutor from the Gdańsk District Prosecutor's Office, participating in the appeal trial.
  • Tomasz Tuturusz — Attorney, defense counsel for the accused Anna Sz. in the appeal trial.
  • Anetta Potrykus — Staff aspirant, press officer of the Wejherowo County Police Headquarters, who informed about the accident in 2022.