Drunk Sri Lankan Man Kills Co-Worker With Forklift in Israel

A 26-year-old Sri Lankan national has been arrested and charged with manslaughter and drunk driving after allegedly running over and killing a co-worker with a forklift while intoxicated outside of work hours. The incident occurred on October 14th in the factory where both men were employed in Bu'eine Nujeidat. The Northern District Prosecutor's Office filed an indictment against the suspect on charges including reckless homicide, reckless driving causing serious injury, and drunk driving.

According to the investigation, the suspect, who does not possess a driver's license, was operating the forklift under the influence of alcohol after work hours. Despite attempts by other workers to stop him, he continued driving and fatally struck his 38-year-old colleague. Police and forensic investigators were called to the scene, where the victim was pronounced dead by medical teams.

Major Gal Perkesh, an investigation and intelligence officer at the Tiberias station, described the scene as "particularly difficult" and noted that the suspect's actions, compounded by alcohol consumption, led to the tragic loss of life. He emphasized the extreme danger of combining alcohol with operating any vehicle, especially a powerful forklift.

This incident adds to a series of fatal workplace accidents in Israel in recent months, including a crane collapse in Ramat Gan that killed a construction worker. The police investigation is ongoing and will also examine the employer's responsibility for supervising employees and equipment outside official working hours.