Attorney Dori Klagsbald sentenced to 15 months for fatal collision

Top attorney Avigdor "Dori" Klagsbald was sentenced to 15 months incarceration and 15 months probation on Thursday for causing the deaths of Yevgenia Wexler, 23, of Bnei Brak and her son Arthur, 5, in a car accident in April.

The attorney was also fined NIS 10,000 and his license was revoked for 10 years.

On April 11, Klagsbald's vehicle struck Wexler's car as it stood at a red traffic light at the intersection of Namir and Einstein roads north of Tel Aviv.

Wexler's car was flung into the air, striking other cars in the area. Six people were injured in the collision, including Klagsbald.

Attorney Zeri Hazan, the Wexler family's legal representative, said "the family members feel the judgment expresses the trust of the public, based on value norms and appropriate punishment."

"We aren't happy about the tragedy [of the accident], but we feel that justice has been served," he said.

The uncle of the boy said "today justice has been served. We were afraid the judgment would be different."

Following the verdict, Klagsbald's attorneys said the sentence given was more severe than that usually handed down to members of the community. They said they would appeal the verdict.

Judge Yitzhak Garti shortened the sentence by 45 days to let the defense prepare an appeal.

The prosecution requested a substantial prison sentence for Klagsbald for what they called criminal negligence.

They claim the defendant had 14 seconds in which to prevent the accident. The attorney's representatives said in response that they believed the negligence lasted only three seconds.

	Attorney Avigdor "Dori" Klagsbald attending his sentencing Thursday in Tel Aviv Traffic Court. (Motti Kimche)