Prosecutors Charge Haifa Driver in Fatal Gas Station Hit-and-Run

Israeli prosecutors have filed an indictment against Michael Cohen, 55, of Haifa, accusing him of causing the death of gas station worker Gabi Kamin through reckless conduct after an argument at a station near Moshav Nir Banim in the Lachish area.

According to the charge, Cohen entered the station’s convenience store and asked to pay for fuel for his truck. After Kamin refused to activate the pump for him, the two got into a verbal confrontation. Cohen then allegedly threatened Kamin, kicked the counter, and threw packs of chewing gum at him.

When Kamin stepped outside to record him on his phone, Cohen got into the truck and struck him while driving. The indictment says Kamin tried to contact Cohen afterward, but Cohen kept driving even though he knew Kamin was nearby and did not make sure he had cleared the vehicle’s path.

The case centers on whether Cohen acted with the awareness that Kamin remained in danger when he continued onward after the collision.