Man Charged in Fatal Hit-and-Run Near Yoetzar

The State Prosecutor's Office has filed an indictment against 39-year-old Iyad Abu Abdon of Rahat for causing a fatal traffic accident near the community of Yoetzar and then fleeing the scene. According to the indictment, on August 29, Abu Abdon was driving a Toyota SUV on Route 2310 when he approached the entrance junction to Yoetzar. Ahead of him, a Kawasaki agricultural tractor was driven by Ansarrani Sufah, with passenger Fatarrat Nontapha, born in 1985.

As the tractor began to turn left at the junction, Abu Abdon allegedly swerved left to overtake, crossing into the oncoming lane and a solid line. During the maneuver, his vehicle collided with the rear-left side of the tractor. The impact caused the tractor to spin, and Nontapha was thrown from the vehicle, hitting her head on a concrete barrier and sustaining severe injuries. She was later pronounced dead at Soroka Hospital in Be'er Sheva after paramedics attempted resuscitation.

Prosecutors claim Abu Abdon exited his vehicle, saw the tractor driver trying to help Nontapha, but fled the scene instead. He allegedly retrieved a detached bumper from the road, drove a short distance, stopped, and hid his vehicle in a nearby agricultural area, concealed by vegetation, to avoid identification. Citizens at the scene called for help.

Abu Abdon was arrested about seven hours later at Soroka Hospital. The indictment asserts he knew he had hit the tractor and that a person was injured but failed to call for help or remain at the scene. The prosecution is seeking his detention until the end of legal proceedings, citing his dangerousness due to his driving and the alleged hit-and-run.

He faces charges including leaving the scene of an accident after causing injury, negligent homicide, and attempting to obstruct justice.