School Principal Killed, Daughter Injured in Highway 85 Crash Near Acre

A 59-year-old school principal, Dalal Melhem from Jadeida-Makr, was killed Saturday in a two-car collision near the Acre East junction on Highway 85. Her 29-year-old daughter, who was traveling with her in the vehicle, sustained moderate injuries.

The MDA emergency dispatch received a report regarding the severe crash at 3:47 PM. MDA paramedics and EMTs provided medical treatment at the scene to both women and evacuated them to the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya. Melhem was initially listed in critical condition, and her death was later pronounced at the hospital.

Police launched an investigation into the fatal traffic accident. Traffic investigators from the Asher district arrived at the scene alongside local station officers to collect evidence and findings.

MDA paramedic Avraham Kisus and EMT Reut Mishali recounted: "When we arrived at the scene, we encountered a very severe traffic accident. Two vehicles had collided, and two women were trapped inside one of them. One of them was in critical condition, pulseless and breathless. We provided medical treatment and evacuated her to the hospital while performing resuscitation efforts. Another injured person was evacuated in moderate condition."

At the Galilee Medical Center, officials reported that the mother and daughter were brought to the trauma room by MDA crews. The mother was brought into the shock room in critical condition while CPR was underway. "Regrettably, despite advanced and prolonged resuscitation efforts by the medical team, physicians were forced to pronounce her death," the hospital stated. Regarding the daughter, they noted she is undergoing a series of tests and treatments, remains stable and fully conscious, with her condition assessed as moderate.

According to data from the National Road Safety Authority, 391 people have been killed in traffic accidents on the country's roads since the beginning of 2026.