Israeli Court Sentences Driver to Six Years for Fatal 2019 Crash Killing Mother and Infant

An Israeli court sentenced Tarek Kurd to six years in prison for causing a fatal car accident on Highway 45 in 2019, which killed Tzipi Rimel and her infant daughter Noam. Kurd was convicted of two counts of negligent homicide. The crash also severely injured Ephraim Rimel, who lost his wife and daughter, and his son Itai, who lost a leg.

Ephraim Rimel expressed outrage at the verdict, calling it a "disgrace" and stating that the punishment equates human life to barely three years. He criticized Kurd for showing no remorse during the six-and-a-half-year legal process and demanded the prosecution appeal the sentence. The court also imposed a 15-year driving ban, a suspended sentence, and ordered Kurd to pay compensation to the family.

The defense had argued for leniency citing Kurd's mental health issues and alleged vehicle malfunctions, but the judges rejected these claims. They found Kurd was driving at approximately 140-145 km/h during a test drive, failed to brake before hitting the Rimel family’s car at a red light, and was mentally fit at the time.

The Jerusalem District Prosecutor’s Office had sought a 15-year prison term, emphasizing Kurd’s full responsibility and reckless driving in an unfamiliar vehicle. Prosecutor Yael Igra stressed the need for a harsh sentence to deter dangerous driving and highlighted the devastating impact on the Rimel family.

The case has drawn public attention to road safety and judicial sentencing standards in Israel, with the family awaiting the prosecution’s appeal to seek a harsher penalty.