Man held for hit and run of Holocaust survivor

A 23-year-old man with a lengthy criminal record is in custody over a hit-and-run incident which left an 82-yearold Holocaust survivor in critical condition.

The woman, Fania Feizelberg, was being pushed in her wheelchair on the sidewalk by her 61-year-old daughter, Larissa Goldenberg, when both were struck from behind by a car in Haifa’s Bat Galim neighborhood.

The driver abandoned the vehicle near the scene of the incident, and fled on foot on Saturday night. Police launched a wide-scale search before the 23-year-old Haifa resident turned himself on Sunday morning.

The man has refused to speak during police questioning. A Haifa Magistrate’s Court extended his custody by four days. Police said the man has a record of property theft, drugs and driving despite having his license revoked. Police suspect a second man was in the vehicle during the incident.

Both women are hospitalized at the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa. Doctors are battling to stabilize the condition of the 82-year-old, while her daughter is said to be in moderate condition.

Eina Erlich, the woman’s granddaughter, told Army Radio, “They were on the sidewalk, and this is what happened, just a few meters from home.” She accused the man under arrest of driving under the influence. Police were unable to test the man for alcohol levels, as he turned himself in several hours after the accident.