Israel Police officials are having a difficult time with the media coverage given to a reported one vehicle accident, apparently the result of an intoxicated driver striking a tree on Highway 433. The driver in this case is an officer in Israel Police, assigned to the department’s serious crimes unit, of the rank of major-general.

Ashdod police during the predawn hours on Friday were summoned to a traffic accident on a city road. The unit arrived on the scene to find a badly-damaged vehicle, as well as a female driver who was only partially dressed. Police described her condition as “obviously under the influence of alcohol”.

A check of the vehicle’s license plate and the driver’s identity revealed the woman, in her 50s, is a very high-ranking officer in a significant unit of the department. A blood-alcohol test placed her live at 1.5 times the maximum permitted by law. One eyewitness who stopped to speak with police explained he saw the driver “zigzag” and then slammed into the tree.

Police officials declined comment, explaining that this was a “private matter involving a police person”. Police officials added however the case will be handled in the same fashion as other accidents involving driving while intoxicated and no special dispensation will be given the officer, in this case the drunk driver.

Yisrael HaYom reports that despite the statement, it appears the officer is being asked to explain her action but may not even face a disciplinary hearing.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)