Driver Claims Self-Defense in Fatal Hit-and-Run of Teenager

The driver involved in a fatal hit-and-run incident in Hadera, which resulted in the death of 17-year-old Amitai Atiya, has provided his account of the events. The driver, who is currently hospitalized with a gunshot wound to his arm, claims he was attacked by dozens of people and that the collision occurred as he attempted to escape the crowd. He stated to N12 that he feared for his life, saying, "40-50 people attacked me. I was trying to slip away and escape, but I couldn't. I was surrounded and felt my life was in danger." He believes he may have struck Atiya while trying to reverse and escape the mob, asserting, "I didn't intend to run anyone over, I'm not a terrorist, I just wanted to get out of there alive."

The driver also explained his decision not to stop after being shot. He recounted that a member of a local rapid response team arrived at the scene, suspecting a vehicle-ramming attack, and fired at his car, injuring his arm. "If I had stopped, they would have killed me," he stated, explaining that he continued driving to escape the perceived threat. He is being represented by attorney Yosef Shalby and his health status is being assessed to determine if he can attend a court hearing regarding the extension of his arrest. The police are investigating the incident, and the driver is being questioned on suspicion of leaving the scene of an accident, dangerous driving, and endangering lives.

The incident reportedly occurred around 1:40 AM in a Hadera shopping center parking lot during prayers attended by many young people. A conflict arose between the driver and a group of teenagers. Security footage appears to show the commercial vehicle attempting to flee from a pursuing crowd before hitting Amitai Atiya during a maneuver. Eyewitnesses, concerned about a potential nationalistic terror attack, alerted the rapid response team, leading to the shooting. The driver was apprehended by police shortly after.

Amitai Atiya, a 12th-grade student from the Hitzim yeshiva and a resident of Itamar, was transported to Hillel Yaffe Hospital by Magen David Adom paramedics. Despite resuscitation efforts for a severe head injury, he was pronounced dead. Residents of Itamar and fellow students mourned Atiya, remembering him as a beloved and active teenager who had gone out with friends for prayers and never returned home.