Israel Railways CEO to be charged for the deaths of five passengers

It is understood that the police investigation indicated that the top three train executives did nothing to provide early warning measures
 
The Central District Attorney's Office said last week that the office had finalized the preparation of indictments against three senior Israel Railways officials, a locomotive conductor and the driver of a truck that became stuck on the tracks near Beit Yehoshua (June 12, 2006) and was hit by a train, causing the deaths of five passengers.
 
The indictments, according to the Central District Attorney's Office will be served conditional on the results of hearings to be granted to the three suspects.
 
The draft indictment is aimed at: Israel Railways CEO Ofer Linchevsky; The director-general of operations and infrastructure maintenance, Harel Even; and The national superintendent in charge of traffic arrangements, Yuval Blum. The three officials could be charged with causing death by criminal negligence. The statement also indicated that the conductor of the train, Yonatan Vadia, may be charged with manslaughter.
 
The truck driver whose truck became stuck on the tracks is also included in the draft indictment. He is suspected of driving under the influence of sleeping pills.
 
It is understood that the police investigation indicated that the top three train executives did nothing to provide early warning measures so that conductors would know there was an obstacle on the track.
 
Had the measures been installed they could have provided a better view of the track ahead, stationing track supervisors and observers at critical locations and the use of electronic devices such as radar or cameras.
 
Police investigation also noted that train management knowingly prevented these safety measures from being introduced.