The starost of the Płock poviat, 39-year-old Sylwester Z., was charged with driving while intoxicated. The official confessed and made an explanation.
Sylwester Z. was detained for police control on April 6 in Nowy Gulczew near Płockwhen the emergency number received a report about an Opel that does not keep a straight track. The test for alcohol content showed the driver about 2.6 per mille in the body.
Immediately after the incident, the police did not disclose the identity of the driver. A few days later, the District Prosecutor’s Office in Płock confirmed that it was about the 39-year-old starost of Płock, Sylwester Z. An investigation was initiated there in connection with the incident. A decision was also issued to suspend the driving license of the driver, as well as a decision to charge him with driving while intoxicated.
On Friday, the district prosecutor in Płock, Małgorzata Orkwiszewska, informed the Polish Press Agency – Sylwester Z. was interrogated on Friday as a suspect. – During the interrogation, the allegation was announced. The suspect admitted to committing the alleged act under Article 178a, paragraph 1 of the Penal Code and made explanations in which he did not question the act, prosecutor Orkwiszewska said. She added that interviews with witnesses are planned as part of the ongoing investigation.
According to the Penal Code, driving while intoxicated is punishable by a fine, restriction of liberty or imprisonment for up to two years.
The mayor apologizes
Last Wednesday during the meeting of the councilors of the Płock district Sylwester Z. apologized for the situation, expressing the hope that it will rebuild trust. – In connection with the incident that took place on April 6 in the morning, in which I participated, I would like to apologize to you today for the situation – said the Płock starost, addressing the councillors, co-workers and, as he stressed, the inhabitants of the Płock poviat.
Sylwester Z. also assured that he would “bear the full consequences of his act”. – I am also at full disposal and I intend to cooperate with the institutions that will clarify this matter in full openness, because I also want to fully explain all the circumstances of this situation – he declared. At the same time, he emphasized that he felt obliged “to work even harder for the benefit of the Płock poviat”.
After the speech of the starost of Płock, Małgorzata Purcelewska, a representative of the club of PiS district councilors, read out the application for dismissal of Sylwester Z. from his position, arguing that he had not acted honorably, in accordance with the code of ethics of a local government official and the expectations of residents. Purcelewska stated that the reason for the request was “care for the good of the county”, as well as “lack of honorable behavior of the starost in the form of resignation”.
– It must be clearly emphasized that the starost, as a local government official, at the head of the poviat, according to reports, was to commit one of the most serious crimes threatening safety in land traffic – said the PiS councilor. At the same time, she reminded that the priority task of the county “is to take care of road safety”.
He took over the position after the tragic death of his predecessor
Sylwester Z. was elected as the starost of Płock by the councilors of this poviat at the end of September 2021. His candidacy was submitted by PSL. Earlier, from 2014, he was the mayor of the Radzanowo commune in the Płock poviat. He assumed the position of mayor after the tragically deceased predecessor, 38-year-old Mariusz Bieńekwho in August 2021 drowned in Wisła near Płock.
As previously reported by the District Prosecutor’s Office in Płock, a report about an Opel whose driver does not keep a straight track was received on April 6 from another road participant – a police patrol was sent to the place. The Opel driver was traveling alone. He was calm and obeyed the commands of the policemen. Alcohol content tests were performed several times at appropriate time intervals. The result was positive each time, and the highest indicated 1.3 mg / l (2.6 per mille) in exhaled air.
According to the District Prosecutor’s Office in Płock, after taking steps to verify his sobriety, Sylwester Z. was released, because in the opinion of the police, his behavior and the event itself did not require preventive measures.
Main photo source: Police