Driver Sentenced to Six Years for Fatal Crash Killing Mother and Infant in West Bank

Tarek Kard was sentenced to six years in prison, 15 years of driving disqualification, and ordered to pay over 300,000 shekels in compensation after causing a fatal car accident that killed Zipora Rimel and her three-week-old daughter Noam Rachel. The crash occurred near the Ofer Prison junction, where Kard, a novice driver licensed since January 2018, was driving at speeds up to 145 km/h. Kard was driving a vehicle converted from automatic to manual transmission without updating the licensing authority, and he had minimal experience driving manual cars.

The court found that Kard failed to slow down despite seeing a red traffic light about 220 meters ahead. Approximately 40 meters before the stop line, he collided with the rear of a Renault carrying the Rimel family, which then spun and hit other vehicles, including a Hyundai and a Toyota Yaris. The court rejected the defense's claim that a technical failure caused the accident and ruled that Kard was criminally negligent, convicting him of two counts of negligent homicide.

The prosecution requested the maximum sentence to emphasize the responsibility drivers bear and to ensure Kard faces appropriate consequences. Kard described the devastating impact of the accident, which also injured his son and himself, and expressed remorse, stating he constantly blames himself for the tragedy. His lawyer submitted medical documents highlighting Kard's difficult personal circumstances and mental state following the crash.