Łukasz Żak sentenced to 20 years for Trasa Łazienkowska fatal crash; judge cites 'zero reflection'

The sentence

On Thursday, 16 July 2026, the Warsaw-Śródmieście district court sentenced Łukasz Żak to 20 years in prison for causing a fatal drunk driving crash on Trasa Łazienkowska. He will be eligible for parole after 15 years. The court also imposed a lifetime ban on driving any motor vehicle and ordered him to pay 10,000 PLN to the Fund for Victims and Post-Penitentiary Assistance. Compensation was set at 300,000 PLN each for the victim's wife and two children (900,000 PLN total) and 150,000 PLN for his passenger Paulina K. Prosecutor Katarzyna Niemiec-Rudnicka called it the first sentence of such magnitude in Polish history, attributing it partly to stricter laws introduced at the turn of 2023 and 2024.

The crash

On the night of 15 September 2024, Żak drove a Volkswagen Arteon at 226–227 km/h while intoxicated and under an existing driving ban. He struck a Ford Focus carrying a family of four. The father, 37-year-old Rafał, died at the scene. His wife and their children, aged 4 and 8, were hospitalised, as was Żak's passenger Paulina K. After the collision, Żak fled with the help of friends. He was later arrested in Lübeck, Germany, on a European arrest warrant.

Judge's scathing rebuke

Judge Maciej Mitera delivered a verbal lashing alongside the sentence. He said he had searched for any positive element in Żak but found none.

What must be going through your head to speed up an Arteon to 200 km/h? It's a small tank. Nobody would have stood a chance against that Arteon. You did it with premeditation.

Mitera noted that during the trial Żak appeared interested only in luxury clothing.

I observed you during this trial. You were interested in everything, Louis Vuitton shirts, Balenciaga, but not what you did. Zero reflection.

He concluded that only a long prison term could protect society.

Mr Żak, why such a sentence? I no longer want there to be Julias, Jakubs, Paulinas, Annas, Kasias on the road. I believe only this sentence will protect society from drivers like you.

Reactions from the courtroom

Widow Ewelina P., who attended every hearing, told reporters she was too emotional to assess the verdict. She recalled that her last happy days were before the crash and that no sentence could bring her husband back. Prosecutor Niemiec-Rudnicka stressed there were no mitigating circumstances, Żak never showed sincere remorse, and she saw no chance of rehabilitation. Defense lawyer Izabela Ławińska immediately announced an appeal, calling the 20-year term excessively harsh.

Let him who is without sin cast the first stone. There are many people with worse criminal records.

She argued her client had been singled out by the media.

This man has been put on a pedestal. I believe my client was targeted, I don't know for what reasons.

Minister of Justice Waldemar Żurek posted on X that people who knowingly break the law, drive drunk, ignore court bans, and endanger others must face the strictest criminal liability. He added that the state's duty is to ensure justice and protect citizens.

Co-defendants sentenced

Five friends who helped Żak flee and cover up evidence also received prison terms. Kacper K., the owner of the car rental firm, was sentenced to 5 years and a 6-year driving ban. Mikołaj O. and Damian J. received 4 years each. Aleksander G. and Maciej O. were given 2 years each. All five must pay compensation: 120,000 PLN each to the victim's family (600,000 PLN total) and 20,000 PLN each to Paulina K. (100,000 PLN total). Kacper K. must also pay 10,000 PLN to the victims' fund.

What comes next

The verdict is not final. Ławińska confirmed she will file an appeal. Public reaction online has been largely supportive of the sentence, with many praising the judge's reasoning, though some caution that the ruling could still be overturned. Żak will remain in custody as the appeal process unfolds.