On Saturday, February 7, a severe accident occurred on national road number 51 near Cerkiewnik in the Warmian-Masurian province. Preliminary police findings indicated that a 67-year-old priest, who was merging from a side road, failed to yield the right of way to a 50-year-old driver, resulting in a collision where the priest's vehicle was struck on the side. Both drivers were transported to the hospital for examination, while a passenger from the other car, who suffered no injuries, remained at the scene of the accident.

Following the crash, local authorities implemented a detour using the service road, and traffic on the route was restored after a short period. However, after less than two hours, police reported that the 67-year-old priest had died in the hospital. The Olsztyn police department emphasized that a detailed investigation regarding the direct cause of death and how much the injuries sustained from the accident contributed to it would be carried out as part of their inquiry.

This tragic event has drawn significant attention as the victim was the parish priest of the parish of St. Catherine and St. Anne in Cerkiewnik. The community is in mourning for their spiritual leader, highlighting the importance of road safety and the unpredictable nature of such accidents. The investigation continues to uncover more details about the incident and its implications for local road safety protocols.