Dead Policeman: Witness Describes Final Moments - Polish man on trial for murder after deadly hit-and-run kills German police officer
Officer's Final Moments Recounted in Trial Over Fatal Police Chase in Germany
Nearly a year ago, a police officer was killed in Lauchhammer during a high-speed pursuit of car thieves. Now, in a trial before the Cottbus Regional Court, a colleague has described the final moments before the fatal collision.
In the trial over the death of Dresden police officer Maximilian Stoppa, his partner testified about the seconds leading up to the tragedy. "We've got to get out. We've got to get out" were the last words Stoppa ever spoke, just before stepping out of the police car, his former colleague told the court. The two officers had been in pursuit, attempting to block the escape of suspected car thieves.
The defendant, a 27-year-old Polish national, is accused of striking and killing the 32-year-old officer with his vehicle in southern Brandenburg in January 2025. Prosecutors allege that he and accomplices had stolen two cars—audi and a Jeep—before the fatal incident. The defendant, acting as a getaway driver for the gang, now faces murder charges.
The officer testifying recalled that he had taken slightly longer to exit the vehicle because his service weapon had become caught on his belt. In that instant, the Škoda driven by the defendant slammed into the police car. Airbags deployed. Glass shattered. Rushing around the vehicle, he said, "I saw an injured person." At first, he assumed it was the fleeing driver. "Then I realized it was Max Stoppa."
"I had no idea what had happened at first," he told the court. He initially thought his colleague might have tripped, and the car had possibly run over his limbs. Then he saw "a large pool of blood.""I knew it was something serious." Stoppa was no longer breathing and showed no signs of life.
On the fourth day of the trial, the Cottbus Regional Court also presented video footage of the deadly pursuit. Recorded by officers, the clips show the defendant driving with complete disregard for safety. One witness described his manner as "reckless." At times, he exceeded 100 km/h (62 mph) in residential areas, reaching nearly 190 km/h (118 mph) on rural roads. He drove the wrong way through roundabouts and mounted sidewalks. "You'd think the guy was a rally driver," said one of the pursuing officers.
As the court played the videos documenting the moments before the crash, the defendant appeared visibly shaken. Another officer testifying admitted that while the suspect had violated every traffic rule imaginable, he had maintained control of his vehicle. "You've got to hand it to him," he added. "He could drive—better than just good."
Prosecutors allege that the Polish national struck Stoppa during an overtaking maneuver as the officer was deploying a stop stick—a spiked strip designed to puncture tires. The defendant is accused of killing Stoppa to cover up his involvement in the car theft ring. Under German law, "concealment intent" qualifies as a murder aggravating factor.
The trial is scheduled to span nine hearing days.
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