Israel Police Traffic Enforcement Unit spokesman released the following statement on Monday morning, 6 Adar I pertaining to the fatal crash involving a bus and a truck on the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv Highway on Sunday night.

Last night at 18:45 there was an accident between an Egged 402 bus and a truck equipped with a crane. As a result of the fatal crash, six people lost their lives and many of the passengers were injured, some in serious condition”.

Traffic Enforcement Unit Chief Deputy Commissioner Yaron Be’eri ordered setting up a special investigation into the crash. The unit assigned includes accident investigations experts and other police experts.

From the preliminary findings in the early stages of the investigation it was learned the truck driver had to pull over due to an oil leak. The bus came along a short time later and clipped the left side of the truck. Findings among investigators to date indicate the bus driver was not concentrating on the vehicle and road as he should have been and he now face charges of causing deaths by negligence.

Police then use this horrific accident to remind and warn motorists that a driver must remain alert at all times and must avoid being distracted including the use of a cellular telephone.

Police also use this case to highlight the dangers involved with pulling over on the side of a road, instructing drivers to avoid pulling onto a shoulder whenever possible but rather to wait to a safe stopping location that does not have the hazards of the shoulder.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)