Film director's son succumbs to wounds after hit-and-run in Tel Aviv
‘No child in the world should pass at the age of 17,’ say Ari Nesher’s parents
By TAMARA ZIEVEUpdated: SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 19:54Iris and Avi Nesher with their son Ari at the opening evening of the film festival in Haifa where Avi Nesher's new film "Another Story" was screened(photo credit: RAFI DALOIA)
The teenager who was injured in a hit-and-run incident in Tel Aviv on Monday passed away Thursday at Ichilov Hospital where he was being treated.The late Ari Nesher, 17, was the son of film producer Avi Nesher and his wife Iris Nesher.Ichilov Hospital released a statement pronouncing Ari’s death and stating that his family had agreed to donate his organs.“A moment before he left us, our Ari celebrated his 17th birthday,” the family said. “No child in the world should pass at the age of 17.Our Ari was not only a handsome boy, he was a gifted child, curious, witty and so happy. He was a talented young filmmaker and always tried to help anyone who needed him. He dreamed of being a paramedic in the army, and in the past year, he volunteered every week in Magen David Adom.”“From an early age, Ari inspired in all those around him the desire to live and rejoice and to take part in this wonderful thing called life,” continued the statement from the family. “Our Ari was injured in a serious car accident. In one moment, our world was destroyed.Against all odds, we fought him for his life until the last moment. After hope was lost, we decided to donate Ari’s organs in the hope that they would save the lives of others. In his last moments, our Ari was surrounded by his family and his many loving friends, who came to celebrate his 17th birthday.”His funeral will be held midday on Sunday at the cemetery in Moshav Udim.The man driving the car which hit Nesher was 19-year-old soccer player Itzhak Asefa, who in his custody. Asefa’s car hit Nesher and his friend, who were riding an electric bike on Rokach Boulevard in Tel Aviv. Nesher’s friend was moderately injured.The premier league soccer team for which he plays, F.C. Ashdod, released a statement expressing deep sorrow and shock at the news of Nesher’s death.
“May his memory be blessed. The club sends its deepest and most sincere condolences to Ari’s family,” the statement read.The football club stated that in light of the incident, it will work to introduce educational content to increase awareness of all players, fans and the public at large about values connected to the driving culture in Israel. The club said it will formulate a strategic plan in the coming days.“We urge the Premier League and National League teams to adopt such content in order to influence one more case that we hope will never happen again,” it concluded.Asefa is suspected of drinking and driving.Reportedly, 250 milligrams of alcohol were found in Asefa’s blood. The limit for a new driver is 10 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood. It is not yet known whether he drank the alcohol before or after the accident.Asefa has exercised his right to remain silent.Channel 2 News reported that in light of Nesher’s death, the police will increase the charges against Asefa to murder
