The Southern District Prosecutor's Office filed an indictment today (Thursday) in the Be'er Sheva District Court against Michael Cohen (55) from Haifa, for the manslaughter by negligence of Gabriel Kamin, an 81-year-old gas station employee who was killed earlier this month after being hit by the truck driven by Cohen at a station near the moshav Nir Banim. Cohen is also charged with driving under the influence, possession of a dangerous drug not for personal use - after dozens of grams of cannabis were found in a search of his truck - as well as assault and threats.

According to the indictment, submitted by attorney Dror Shturck, Cohen arrived about two weeks ago at the gas station driving a truck, with a concentration of THC acid - a metabolite of the active substance in cannabis - found in his body. He entered the convenience store at the station and asked to pay for refueling the truck. After Kamin refused to open the fuel pump for him, a verbal confrontation developed between the two.

During the confrontation, the indictment states, Cohen threatened Kamin, kicked the counter and threw gum boxes at him. He then left the store and walked toward the truck. Kamin followed him and began filming him with his mobile phone.

According to the indictment, Cohen entered the truck and began driving toward Kamin, who was standing in front of the heavy vehicle. At one point the front of the truck hit Kamin, but he continued walking alongside the truck and tried to contact Cohen through the driver's window. The prosecution claims that Cohen continued driving to exit the gas station, aware that Kamin was near the truck - and without ensuring he was clear of its path.

As a result, Kamin was struck by the corner of the truck bed, thrown to the ground and run over by the truck's wheels. His death was pronounced at the scene. After the incident Cohen stopped the truck, tried to help Kamin and called emergency services.

In the request for detention and license revocation until the end of proceedings, attorney Shturck noted that Cohen drove a heavy vehicle and continued on his way even though he knew Kamin was near the truck and within his field of vision. The prosecution argues that his conduct shows disregard for the duty of care imposed on a driver and a lack of internalization of the responsibility involved in holding the wheel, indicating that continued driving could pose a real danger to the public.

Kamin's family stated after the indictment was filed: The filing of the indictment is a significant step, but for us it is not the end of anything but the beginning of a legal process that we hope will lead to uncovering the truth and achieving justice. No indictment will bring back our father and the grandfather of our children. From the first moment we felt that this case is bigger than our family's personal tragedy. It also touches on the reality in which we live as a society - a reality of growing violence, loss of patience and increasing disregard for human life and the consequences of our actions on others.

We are not seeking revenge, but justice and accountability. We hope the court will examine all the facts and circumstances, and that the law and punishment will be applied in a way that reflects the severity of the case, the unimaginable loss caused to our family and the value that a civilized society must attach to human life. Ultimately, the test for us is not only the charge itself, but the message that emerges from the entire process regarding the value of human life and the responsibility each person bears for their actions.

At the beginning of the investigation Cohen was suspected of murder with indifference, but during detention extension hearings at the Ashkelon Magistrate's Court Judge Yaniv Ben Harosh noted that examination of the file suggests the suspicion fits better with the offense of causing death by negligence. Nevertheless, already yesterday the possibility arose that the prosecution would choose a more serious offense - manslaughter by negligence (the offense that replaced the old manslaughter charge) - and that is indeed what was done in the indictment filed today.

Cohen has 65 traffic convictions to his name. At the detention hearing his defense attorney, attorney Uri Renzki, argued that his client never intended to harm the deceased, and that this involved zero speed and an incident unsuitable for a murder suspicion. On the other hand, a police representative said at the hearing that the investigating unit views the case with great seriousness and is investing maximum resources in it.

Kamin's family members recounted after his death that he was a beloved person, a devoted father and grandfather, who continued working at the gas station even at his advanced age and was well known to local residents and station customers. His daughter Sivan Kamin Ofek said that he was a kind father and grandfather, and that many people came to the family and spoke of his good heart and the help he extended to them over the years.

After it emerged that the truck driver had dozens of traffic convictions, Kamin's son Yarden said: It is absurd that he is on the road. A person suspected of drug use, with 65 offenses. This is a case that could have been prevented if only they had been careful. What was he doing on the road? His daughter Sivan said the case is a red flag for the public, adding: People tell me I will not confront someone on the street. There is fear of entering a conversation or confrontation that could end badly.

The case was investigated by officers from Kiryat Malachi station and traffic accident examiners from the Lachish district. Police said that as part of the investigation evidence was collected from the scene, testimonies were taken from witnesses, professional findings were analyzed and the circumstances of the incident were examined, until the evidentiary foundation was established that led to the filing of the indictment.