Humniska. A 78-year-old woman hit children, 11-year-old Paweł is dead. The trial begins

The trial of a woman accused of fatally hitting a boy began on June 26 in the District Court in Brzozów. The prosecutor's office charged the 78-year-old with Article 177, paragraph 2 of the Penal Code, which concerns causing an accident with a fatal outcome, which is punishable by up to eight years in prison. During the investigation, the woman did not admit to the charge brought against her and refused to provide explanations.

– Our son Paweł was only 11 years old. He was a happy, joyful child, he had plans and dreams. He should run, meet peers, ride a bike, read books, study, and not be there in heaven – says Barbara Kłyż, mother of the deceased Paweł, in an interview with tvn24.pl.

And he adds. – No one will bring back our son, brother, grandson, cousin, but we all hope that the court's verdict will be fair.

Read also: They asked, wrote petitions and nothing. “I feel extremely sad and angry that my son had to die for this to happen.”

During the investigation, the prosecutor appointed a road traffic expert. His opinion shows that the woman, when passing a group of children, did not observe the road properly and did not maintain special caution, including the required safe distance from the pedestrians she passed.

According to the expert, the woman was driving too fast – at a speed of about 70 kilometers per hour in a place where the speed limit is 50 km/h. Earlier, the prosecutor reported that there were no skid marks at the accident site.

Experts also examined the car the woman was driving. According to the prosecutor's office, the vehicle was operational and its condition had no influence on the accident.

Read also: She hit children and 11-year-old Paweł died. There will be changes after the tragic accident

This tragic event took place on October 11 2023 in Humniska, Brzozów County, Podkarpacie.

The incident occurred on a straight section of road. The children were walking on the side of the road because there is no sidewalk along the street, which the locals call “Kościelna”. They moved properly. At one point, a car came from the opposite direction and – for reasons that have not yet been determined – drove into a group of 10-year-olds and 11-year-olds. Two girls who were walking in front managed to escape in time, and the car hit two 11-year-olds. One of them was injured and transported to hospital. The second one died on the spot.

According to the autopsy experts' opinions, the boy died as a result of head and cervical spine injuries caused by a road accident.

A few days after the tragic accident, Joanna Chrobak-Augustyn, who lives in Humniska, a few dozen meters from the place where the tragedy occurred, on behalf of the residents, submitted a petition to the District Office in Brzozów calling for the installation of a speed bump, speed limits and the construction of a sidewalk. It is a section less than a kilometer long. There are several houses right next to the road – on both sides. Residents want a sidewalk to be built on at least one side of the street.

In an interview with tvn24.pl, the woman reported that cars drive through the village too fast, and due to the lack of a sidewalk and roadside, residents do not feel safe.

Read also: Pawełek is dead, residents have been fighting for the sidewalk for years. “It could have been me and my children”

At the beginning of December last year, signs with a speed limit of 30 km/h were placed along the road, and one speed bump was installed along the road.

The staroste of Brzozów, Zdzisław Szmyd, also announced that a sidewalk will be built on the road where the accident occurred – on the section from the bridge next to the parish church to the end of the buildings towards the intersection with the Humniska-Strachocina district road. The City Hall in Brzozów will contribute to the investment.

He also said that the district has secured money in the 2024 budget for the development of construction documentation for the sidewalk.