1 killed in crash on Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway; driver suspected to have been drunk

A man was killed and two others were hurt in a car crash on the Route 1 highway linking Jerusalem and Tel Aviv overnight Thursday-Friday, with police saying the driver of the vehicle that apparently caused the collision had likely been under the influence.

The 68-year-old fatality, who had stopped his car on the highway’s shoulder near Latrun, was hit by the second vehicle, police said, citing a preliminary investigation.

He was taken by medics to the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan in critical condition, where his death was declared by medical staff shortly thereafter.

A woman in her 60s who was also in his car when it was hit, suffered moderate injuries and was taken to the hospital, the Magen David Adom (MDA) ambulance service said.

The driver who apparently caused the crash, a man in his 30s, was treated by medics at the scene but did not require hospitalization, MDA said.

Police did not say whether the driver had been taken for questioning.

The scene of a deadly car crash on Route 1, November 26, 2021. Police say a man who was likely drunk collided with a car that had stopped on the road’s shoulder. (Israel Police)

The crash occurred between the Anava and Latrun interchanges on the Route 1 highway.

Since the beginning of the year, 326 people have been killed on the country’s roads, according to the Road Safety Authority.