Fatal hit-and-run suspect caught at Polish-German border a week after Suwałki crash

The crash

In the early hours of July 26, between 1 and 2 a.m., a black Mercedes struck a 31-year-old man at the intersection of Kościuszki and Chłodna streets in Suwałki, Podlaskie voivodeship. The pedestrian, identified as Łukasz, was crossing at a marked crosswalk with a green light. The impact threw him into the air, and he died at the scene despite medical assistance. The driver did not stop and fled. Police later detained two passengers who had been in the car, and the damaged Mercedes was recovered.

Manhunt and warrant

Prosecutors identified the suspect as Mikołaj W., a 30-year-old Suwałki resident. On July 29, the District Prosecutor's Office in Suwałki issued an arrest warrant. Initially, authorities withheld his name and photograph, but later released them to increase the effectiveness of the search. Social media rumors alleged that the suspect had connections to the judiciary or police; the prosecutor's office denied these claims, stating that the evidence gathered was substantial and that the court had already ordered pre-trial detention. The suspect's last known address was on Kowalskiego Street in Suwałki. One report suggested that the night of the crash may have coincided with his 30th birthday.

Arrest at the border

On August 2, around 3 a.m., police officers at the Kołbaskowo border crossing in West Pomeranian voivodeship detained Mikołaj W. as he attempted to leave Poland for Germany.

Today around 3 a.m. at the border crossing in Kołbaskowo, a Suwałki resident hiding from law enforcement, for whom an arrest warrant had been issued, was detained.

The suspect will be transferred to Suwałki, where a court had already ordered 14 days of pre-trial detention. He faces charges of causing a fatal accident and fleeing the scene.

Legal consequences

Under Polish law, causing a fatal accident carries a sentence of 6 months to 8 years, but fleeing the scene can raise the penalty to up to 20 years. The prosecutor's office cited articles 177 § 2 and 178 § 1a of the Penal Code. The suspect will be formally charged upon arrival in Suwałki.

Victim and community

Łukasz, a 31-year-old father of two young daughters, was buried on July 31. His family had been sharing the wanted poster online and, upon learning of the arrest, expressed relief.