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

The Jerusalem District Court sentenced Tarek Kard to six years in prison, 15 years of driving license suspension, a suspended sentence, and compensation to the victims' family for causing a deadly car accident on Route 443. The crash resulted in the deaths of Zipporah Rimel and her infant daughter Noam Rachel Rimel, with other family members severely injured. The court found Kard guilty of two counts of negligent homicide after evidence showed he was driving at approximately 140-145 km/h and struck the Rimel family's vehicle. The court rejected Kard's defense that a technical failure caused the accident and confirmed he had the required mental intent for the charges.

Ephraim Rimel, who was paralyzed in the crash, criticized the sentence as too lenient, stating that despite the prosecution's request for 15 years, the court's six-year sentence reflects a disregard for human life. The Jerusalem District Attorney's Office had argued for a harsh penalty, emphasizing Kard's sole responsibility, excessive speed during a test drive of an unfamiliar vehicle, failure to brake at a red light, and lack of accountability. They highlighted the need for deterrent sentencing due to the high toll of reckless driving in Israel.

Kard's defense attorney requested a much lighter sentence of nine months of community service. The court's ruling underscores the severe consequences of Kard's actions, which destroyed an entire family and caused fatal outcomes, warranting strict punishment and public deterrence.