Israel police said Sunday they are investigating the death of one of their volunteer officers who was run over on Friday night, as a murder.
Rishon Lezion Magistrate's Court extended the remand of the driver who ran over Amichai Carmeli, 46, who was manning a roadblock.
Rani Khemlat, a 30-year-old Rahat resident, was arrested with four passengers in his car, after attempting to escape the scene.
The police claim by refusing to stop at the clearly seen roadblock, Khemlat was guilty of endangering a person in a traffic lane, driving under the influence of alcohol, and murder - in addition to other offences.
"Our investigation thus far has resulted in findings that raise the suspicion of a crime with a severity that ranges from involuntary manslaughter to suspicion of murder," said one of the police officials involved in the investigation.
He said the force would also investigate whether the passengers in the car egged the driver on to break through the roadblock and attempt to escape capture.
The driver's lawyer claims that his client did not intend to murder anyone, and had lost control of his car.
"I apologize and express my condolences for the death of the police volunteer," the attorney said. "The circumstances of the incident do not indicate a murder, there was no intention of murdering a police man."
Police collected camera footage that shows the suspects frequented bars before the incident. Through utilization of a breathalyzer, the police uncovered that the driver and passengers - all of whom tried to escape the scene - were under the influence of alcohol.
Two other traffic division volunteers were mildly injured in the event. Three of the suspected passengers were also injured.