Israeli officer killed in Seattle hit-and-run, teen suspect arrested driving stolen car

According to the police, on Dec. 6, 2023, at approximately 2:35 pm in the 17600 block of NE 24th Street in Redmond, Yehonatan Nahon, a major with the Israeli Air Force and envoy in the United States was struck and killed by the teen who was driving a stolen 2007 gray Nissan Pathfinder “recklessly at a high rate of speed” when he lost control and hit and killed the father of three, who was on the sidewalk.

Redmond Police stated that the driver and passengers exited the disabled vehicle and fled on foot after the crash.

Detectives identified the driver and passengers based on security footage, witness reports, and members of the community who helped law enforcement locate the suspects.

Redmond Police Chief Darrell Lowe said in a statement, “Redmond officers and detectives have worked diligently to identify and apprehend the suspects in this horrific and senseless incident. Hopefully, the rest of the criminal justice system can ensure justice for the victim and help provide closure for the family.”

According to Israeli media, Nahon’s body was flown back to Israel for the funeral.

The suspect was booked into King County Detention Center pending charges of Vehicular Homicide.

Washington state ranks third in the nation for the number of vehicles stolen in 2023, trailing only California and Texas, which have significantly larger populations.

Due to restrictions placed on police pursuits by the Democratic-controlled legislature in response to the George Floyd riots which rocked the state in 2020, officers are unable to pursue stolen vehicles. Suspects have even previously called 911 to tell dispatchers to have the police break off pursuits because of the law.

Last month, the citizen action group Let's Go Washington turned in over 400,000 signatures to the Washington Secretary of State’s office, hoping to put an initiative on the 2024 ballot to restore the ability for police to pursue suspects based on a "reasonable suspicion.”