Prosecutors Still Reviewing Case of Bus Driver Who Killed Yosef Eisental

In January, teenager Yosef Eisental was killed after being struck by a bus during a haredi protest in Jerusalem. The bus driver, an Arab man, was released home shortly after the incident, and remains free because prosecutors did not appeal his release.

Police have already finished investigating and recommended charging him with causing death by indifference. Prosecutors said the case is still under review and that no final decision has been made. They also opposed extending his detention during the investigation, and even after the police recommendation, no indictment has been filed yet.

According to the report, protesters blocked the bus on Jeremiah Street in Jerusalem. The driver then continued through the Jeremiah-Shmgar intersection and stopped on Ohel Yehoshua Street, about 400 to 500 meters later. Witnesses said the bus was traveling at about 70 to 80 km/h while Eisental was hanging on the outside of the vehicle.

As the driver continued and turned, the teenager was trapped under the bus wheels and dragged along the road. MDA teams pronounced him dead at the scene, and three other people were lightly injured. Police said the intersection was open to traffic, and noted that the driver had called emergency number 100 before the incident to report an assault by disorderly participants. The driver said he felt in danger after bus passengers were attacked.