Woman driver killed, six injured in S12 chain crash at Janówek near Świdnik

What happened

The crash took place on Friday, 13 November 2026, on the S12 expressway at Janówek, between the Świdnik and Piaski Zachód interchanges. Polsat News reported the crash came before 18:00, while RMF24 gave a time of about 17:45. Roadworks have narrowed the carriageway at that point, so traffic in both directions was running on a single lane. Lublin112 said the cars began slowing at the narrowing when a tractor unit with a semi-trailer, bearing Ukrainian registration plates, drove into them at speed. Preliminary police findings say the truck ran into vehicles ahead of it that were slowing down before the narrowing. The police communiqué described the impact as the start of a chain reaction.

“The force of the impact caused a so-called domino effect, as a result of which further cars collided.”

After the first impact, a Peugeot struck another truck and that truck hit a further one, so the collisions spread along the lane.

Casualties and vehicles

One person died at the scene. The driver of a Volkswagen Polo, a woman, was killed when her car, the first vehicle hit, was badly damaged. Polsat News reported six people injured, including a six-member family travelling in a Peugeot: three adults and three children were taken to hospital for checks. Police counted six vehicles in total, four trucks and two passenger cars, including two Polish Army trucks. Onet reported that two of the trucks were civilian and two were military. RMF24 first reported four vehicles, two trucks and two cars, and Lublin112 initially said more than five further people were expected to be injured.

Trucks4

Passenger cars2

Trucks

4

Passenger cars

2

Data from the article text

Driver and investigation

The 52-year-old Ukrainian driver was detained and placed in custody, and police said he may be held responsible for the collision. Polsat News reported that he was sober at the time of the crash. Officers worked at the scene under the supervision of a prosecutor. Lublin112 reported that police were starting their clarification procedures on the evening of the crash, and that the injured were being given first aid as rescue work continued.

Traffic and reopening

Immediately after the crash the S12 was fully closed in the direction of Zamość and Chełm, and vehicles were diverted at the Świdnik interchange. Lublin112 reported a queue longer than 3 km and warned that disruption would last several hours. RMF24 said the obstruction could last at least until 21:00. Police urged motorists to take care, follow emergency services and use the marked detours. On the morning of 14 November, Polsat News reported that the General Directorate of National Roads and Motorways (GDDKiA) said the S12 at Janówek was passable again.

“We urge drivers to be careful, follow the instructions of emergency services and use the marked detours.”