A frum man visiting Yerushalayim from the United States for Sukkos has been identified as the victim in the fatal hit and run accident at Paris Square on the night of the first day of Yomtov R”L. The victim’s name is not being released as his family abroad will not be informed until motzei Yomtov in the USA.

At 12:30AM, police were summoned to Paris Square for a vehicular accident. Upon their arrival, they were told a vehicle stuck the man in his 30s, leaving him in traumatic cardiac arrest. He was transported to the trauma unit of Shaare Zedek Hospital in critical condition as CPR and advanced life support was being implemented. He was pronounced dead shortly following his arrival.

Family members arrived at the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute on motzei Yomtov in Eretz Yisrael to identify the victim.

[UPDATE – Hit & Run Victim in Yerushalayim Identified as Pianist Chaim Tukachinsky Z”L- Driver to Remain Incarcerated]

The driver, a European journalist stationed in Israel, fled the scene. He was apprehended about 90 minutes later, in the Mount Scopus area of the capital. His blood alcohol level was at least three times the legal limit. His vehicle exhibited damage in line with the events described to police.

The driver, a man in his 50s, was arrested on suspicion of fleeing the scene of an accident and drunk driving.

One witness told authorities the victim was thrown into the air “and didn’t have a chance”. Judge Mordechai Kaduri decoded to release the suspect to house arrest for ten days.

The Spanish deputy consul in Jerusalem said, “There is no doubt that there is a reasonable suspicion that the offense was committed, but in light of the lack of a criminal record, the investigation can be completed with an alternative to detention.” The police requested a delay in his release to permit appealing the court’s decision as they wish to have him remanded to custody.

Written & published on the first day of Chol Hamoed Sukkos in Yerushalayim.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem/Photo Credit: Israel Police Spokesman Unit)