Ongoing Jerusalem Construction Caused Charedi Boy’s Death, Say Area Residents

JERUSALEM (VINnews/Sandy Eller) – A horrific incident in Jerusalem that left a young boy dead was an accident waiting to happen, with area residents saying that ongoing construction in the area for the Jerusalem light rail’s newest line has created an untenable and life-threatening situation.

Kikar HaShabbat (https://bit.ly/3gKkjmj) reported that 10 year old Yoel Dovid Lenau was hit by a cement mixer at approximately 1:15 PM as he was walking home from school on the outskirts of Geula near the intersection of Malchei Yisrael and Shamgar streets. Paramedics raced to the accident but were unable to save the boy who was pinned under the cement mixer and was pronounced dead at the scene. Yoel Dovid was the son of Rabbi Daniel and Nechama Lenau, Chabad shluchim to Kiev who had come recently to Israel with their children.

One eye witness said that the driver of the cement truck was zig zagging as he drove towards the Malchei Yisrael intersection, the light rail construction creating havoc for pedestrians and drivers alike. Double traffic lights in the area, one for pedestrians another for moving vehicles, have created a dangerous situation, said the witness.

“Yesterday, I was walking at an intersection at 12:30 at night and a taxi driver going 100 kilometers per hour nearly hit me,” said the witness. “It is terrible that they are doing things irresponsibly and with no safety concerns. Any person with common sense can see and understand that this is a problem. These double traffic lights should have been taken out yesterday.”

“The municipality has to take responsibility,” said the resident. “It is a miracle that this didn’t happen six months ago. I am calling the municipality and telling them to take care of the situation, because this will happen again and they won’t be able to say that they don’t have blood on their hands.”

The driver of the cement mixer remained at the scene, where he was arrested by police. The Moriah company, which is responsible for the construction in the area, expressed its sympathies for the tragic accident but said that the police investigation will show that the cement mixer was not part of its infrastructure work and was simply passing by.

“The safety and enforcement teams in the area are here daily to ensure residents’ safety and will continue to do so as long as the construction continues,” said a Moriah spokesperson.