Channels

Gavriel Lerner
Photo: George Ginsburg
Photo: Ido Erez
Scene of the accident
Photo: Ido Erez

Cyclist killed in hit-and-run; Palestinian driver detained

Gavriel Lerner, 47, hit by car during cycling trip with two friends; driver turns himself in to West Bank police, later transferred to Israeli custody

A 47-year-old cyclist was killed Monday in a hit-and-run accident in the northern West Bank, near a checkpoint on the road leading from the community of Harish to Katzir. The offending driver, who fled the scene of the accident, turned himself in to Palestinian police and was later transferred to the custody of the Shai Sub-District Police. 

 

Early Monday, Gavriel Diego Lerner went on a cycling trip with two friends. He then sped forth on a route leading up to Katzir, leaving his riding companions behind. After a while they saw his wrecked bicycle on the road; Lerner lay unconscious at the side of the road.

 

Related stories:

 

During his interrogation in Israel, the driver claimed he couldn't see the cyclist as he was unsighted by the blaze of the sun. He was questioned under caution and then taken back to the Palestinian Authority. Traffic Police said that in accordance with the Oslo Accords he will be tried in the PA.    


(צילום: עידו ארז)

Photo: Ido Erez

 

The cyclists called MDA, yet paramedics were unable to resuscitate Lerner and pronounced him dead at the scene.

 

Related stories:

 

The driver's blood-stained vehicle was located in a nearby village. Police are currently negotiating the man's transfer over to Israel with their Palestinian counterparts.

 

Yoav Bleicher, a close family friend, said Lerner was a highly experienced cyclist and a member of a cycling group. "This is not the first accident involving cyclists," Bleicher added. "Unless they take drastic measures to raise awareness of the issue among drivers, Gavriel will not be the last victim."

 

Lerner was born in Argentina. He grew up in Kibbutz Dalia and lived with his family at the northern Israeli town of Pardes Hanna-Karkur. He was survived by his wife and two daughters.

The last few years have seen a number of hit-and-run accidents where cyclists were left to die on the road by the fleeing drivers. One of the most scandalous cases was in June 2010 when Tal Mor ran over and killed Shneor Cheshin while driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Mor received a 12 year prison sentence.

 

 

  • Receive Ynetnews updates directly to your desktop 

 


פרסום ראשון: 04.15.13, 13:06
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment