Fire truck fatally strikes 64-year-old pedestrian on crossing in Łódź

Fatal collision outside fire headquarters

A fatal traffic collision occurred in Łódź on the afternoon of Monday, 5 October 2026, involving a State Fire Service combat vehicle and a pedestrian. The incident took place shortly after 16:00 on Zgierska Street, situated directly in front of the Municipal Headquarters of the State Fire Service at number 47. A 64-year-old woman, who was a local resident of Łódź, was crossing the roadway at a marked pedestrian crossing when the fire engine struck her. Emergency rescue services were immediately dispatched to the location to provide medical assistance and attempt to save the woman. Despite the rapid arrival of emergency personnel and the immediate aid provided on site, the 64-year-old victim died from her injuries at the scene of the crash.

Left-turn maneuver and police findings

Responding officers from the Łódź Municipal Police Headquarters identified the driver of the State Fire Service combat vehicle as a 22-year-old firefighter performing active duty at the time of the collision. Initial determinations established that the fatal collision occurred while the driver was carrying out a left-turn maneuver along Zgierska Street. Law enforcement officials noted that the 22-year-old driver failed to maintain special caution during the turn and did not yield the right of way to the 64-year-old pedestrian on the crossing. Mateusz Piliński, a junior aspirant from the Łódź Provincial Police Headquarters, outlined the preliminary police assessment:

Preliminary findings indicate that the 22-year-old driver of the State Fire Service combat vehicle, while making a left turn, failed to give way to a pedestrian on the crossing.

Vehicle operational status and driver hospitalization

Police officials confirmed that the State Fire Service combat vehicle was not operating under emergency conditions when the accident occurred. The truck was traveling without active sirens or flashing emergency light signals. Field tests conducted by attending officers established that the 22-year-old driver was completely sober. Further documentation checks by the police verified that the firefighter held all necessary driving entitlements and official permits required to operate the service vehicle. Following the collision, the driver required medical assistance due to severe shock and the circumstances of the event, prompting emergency personnel to transport him to a local hospital.

Prosecutorial inquiry and procedural steps

Police officers cordoned off the area around Zgierska 47 to secure the crash scene, document vehicle positioning, and collect preliminary physical evidence. The broader inquiry into the fatal accident is being conducted by local police officers under the direct supervision of the District Prosecutor's Office for Łódź-Bałuty. Investigators and prosecutors are tasked with reconstructing the complete sequence of events, determining the direct causes of the pedestrian strike, and clarifying all surrounding circumstances that led to the fatal collision. The investigative findings will form the basis for establishing legal accountability for the crash.