Truck Driver Dies After Being Hit While Changing Tire on Highway 65 Near Afula

A tragic accident occurred on Highway 65 near Afula on August 27, 2026, when a 54-year-old truck driver was fatally struck by a passing vehicle while attempting to change a flat tire on the roadside. The driver had stopped due to a technical issue with his truck and was standing beside it when a speeding private car hit him with great force. Emergency medical teams, including paramedics from Magen David Adom and volunteers from Hatzalah, arrived promptly but were unable to save him, declaring his death at the scene after extensive checks.

ZAKA volunteers from the northern district also responded to the scene to respectfully handle the deceased and collect evidence under the supervision of Rabbi Anshel Friedman. Police and traffic investigators began probing the circumstances that led to the collision, including the driver’s position and the other vehicle’s failure to avoid the pedestrian. This incident marks the second fatality on this busy intercity route within less than 24 hours, following a deadly motorcycle crash on the same road the previous evening.

Road safety experts and rescue organizations reiterated the dangers of stopping on the shoulder of fast-moving intercity roads, emphasizing the need for drivers to use hazard lights, wear reflective vests, exit the vehicle on the right side, and move behind safety barriers when dealing with vehicle breakdowns. Authorities urged motorists to exercise heightened caution, reduce speed near stopped vehicles, and maintain full attention to prevent further tragedies on this hazardous stretch of highway.