JERUSALEM (VINnews) — The Israeli reservist seriously wounded in a car-ramming attack Wednesday on Route 443 has been identified as Neria Leiter, the son of Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, Israeli media reported.

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Neriah Leiter, son of Israel’s US envoy Yechiel Leiter, named as reservist seriously injured in earlier ramming near Modi’in pic.twitter.com/EJ9MHLNiI2

— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) September 23, 2026

Leiter, who is in his 30s, was seriously wounded when a vehicle rammed a police patrol near the Maccabim checkpoint on Route 443, according to Israeli authorities. He was taken to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem with a head injury.

I am grateful to the IDF, to the medical team at Shaare Zedek who are now fighting to save the life of Neria Dov ben Chana, and for the prayers of the people of Israel.

I believe in the power of prayer, and I believe that when the people of Israel unite, miracles happen. Neria…

— Ambassador Yechiel (Michael) Leiter (@yechielleiter) September 23, 2026

The family has asked the public to pray for his recovery under the name Neria Dov ben Chana.

CAR-RAMMING ATTACK TARGETS ROUTE 443 CHECKPOINT

Video shows the car-ramming attack targeting a checkpoint on Route 443 in Israel.

The vehicle can be seen speeding toward the checkpoint during the attack. Details on casualties and the attacker’s condition remain unclear. pic.twitter.com/82L4eaqBDV

— Mossad Commentary (@MOSSADil) September 23, 2026

Neria Leiter is the son of Yechiel and Chana Leiter. His older brother, Maj. Moshe Yedidya Leiter, a reservist commander, was killed in fighting in the northern Gaza Strip in November 2023. The Israeli Foreign Ministry says Moshe Leiter was killed on Nov. 10, 2023, while leading Israeli forces into Gaza.

Israeli authorities said the attacker drove toward a police vehicle and struck one of the officers. Security forces at the scene killed the attacker, and police opened an investigation.

Neria Leiter was treated at the scene by emergency medical teams before being transported to the Jerusalem hospital. United Hatzalah said its paramedics provided respiratory support, medication, bandaging and immobilization before the evacuation.

Yechiel Leiter, who formally became Israel’s ambassador to Washington in January 2025, is a father of eight. His eldest son, Moshe Yedidya, was a physician and Israeli Air Force officer who left behind a wife and six children.