State Appeals Sentence for Driver Who Killed Mother and Baby

Israel's State Prosecutor's Office has appealed to the Supreme Court to increase the prison sentence of Tarek Kard, who was convicted of causing a fatal car accident that killed Tzipi Rimel and her three-week-old daughter, Noam. The crash also severely injured other family members. Kard was sentenced to six years in prison, and the prosecution is now seeking a harsher penalty.

According to the indictment, Kard, a new driver who had purchased a car just days before the incident, decided to take it for a "test drive." Despite the speed limit being 90 km/h (56 mph), he accelerated to approximately 140-145 km/h (87-90 mph). He lost control of the vehicle and violently collided with several cars stopped at a red light.

Efraim Rimel, the father, sustained severe injuries requiring multiple surgeries, leaving him with lasting disabilities. Their son, Itai, was critically injured, also undergoing numerous surgeries and suffering complex, ongoing medical issues. Other passengers were also injured in the collision.

Kard was convicted of two counts of manslaughter by negligence, two counts of causing severe bodily harm, three counts of causing injury, speeding, causing damage, and driving without insurance. The Jerusalem District Court sentenced him to six years in prison, a 15-year driving ban, a suspended sentence, and compensation to the victims.

The prosecution, represented by attorney Shani Pogoda, argues that Kard's negligence was extreme, bordering on indifference. They emphasize that this was not a momentary lapse but a planned "test drive" where he intentionally accelerated to test the car's performance, taking an immense risk. The State contends that the sentence imposed does not reflect the severity of his actions and their devastating consequences. The prosecution highlights that accidents caused by reckless driving are a national plague and require strict, deterrent punishments, thus requesting a significant increase in Kard's sentence.