It has been about three years since the fatal accident that claimed the life of Yisrael Winter z”l, who was killed in a vehicular accident on the night of his son’s wedding. Yisrael was driving his son home after the wedding when a fire truck made an illegal U turn near Elad, smashing into the private vehicle, killing Yisrael.
As the court is about to hand down its sentence against the driver of the fire truck, the children and other family members are calling upon the court to exhibit mercy. “Don’t send him to prison” is their message.
Chadrei Chareidim interviewed Eliyahu Winter, who got married three years ago, on that fatal night. Also present for the interview was the widow, Mrs. Debbie Winter. The chasnah took place in a hall in Modi’in. After the chasnah, Yisrael z”l took another son to his home in Elad. They traveled on Hwy 444 but they never made it, intercepted by the fire truck before reaching their destination. The father was killed instantly and the young couple sustained serious injuries.
Simultaneously, the newlyweds headed home to their new home in Elad. About 4km before reaching the community they saw an accident had occurred. They were horrified to see their father’s vehicle flipped over and crushed. It took a few moments to process what had occurred, but the reality of the situation sank in.
The driver of the fire truck was found guilty of manslaughter and the sentencing hearing is coming up. Chadrei Chareidim interviewed Eliyahu and his mother Debbie. They explained they hope the court will hear their message and show mercy regarding the driver’s sentence and not send him to prison. They feel such a move will not help anyone.
Mrs. Winter (Debbie) recalls the horror of the night, explaining how she waited for her husband to return, repeatedly calling his cell phone but there was no response. Nevertheless, she and the family agree that sending the fireman to prison will accomplish nothing. While his actions did cause the death of the Yisrael and left others seriously injured, his actions were not intentional and prison will only destroy another family.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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8 Responses
What an Am Kadosh!
wow what a kidush hashem!
At first glance I agreed but then I thought of the gem. Macos 11b; it is a machlokes whether it is a mitzvah or only permissible for a goel hadam to kill an inardvertent killer who leaves his city of refuge (before the death of the Cohen Gadol). Maybe they are not doing this fireman any favor by forgiving him if he needs a kappara, rather they should wish /pray that Hashem judge him in the best way for him and his family’s ultimate good.
#3: It takes a duly constituted Beis Din of at least 23 (which we don’t have) which hears testimony from at least two valid witnesses to declare someone a rotzei’ach, whether b’shogeg or b’meizid.
Unless such a Torah process is done, NO ONE is a go’el hadam, and any killing is outright retzichah.
The fireman’s onesh and kapparah is biYedei Shamaim in this day and age.
#4 You need to read what i wrote – rather they should wish /pray that Hashem judge him in the best way for him and his family’s ultimate good.
#3, the point is not what onesh should be given to the fireman, the point was the gadlus of the victimized family. That can be respected regardless of the other issues involved.
Wow,Wow,Wow.
I am totally amazed by the awesome gadlus of this family.
A level like this is something I can not even try 2 get near.
I can only say that I am sure this is a great zechus for Reb Yisrael A”h.
it is obvious that the fireman is a person who helps people – what happened was an accident – he and his family are living with this on their conscience for the rest of their lives – isnt this enough for 1 man and his family to endure – hashem should bless both families (the victime and that of the fireman) with peace