Shooting prompts police to reinvestigate fatal traffic accident in southern Vietnam

The conclusion was made following public outcry over local authorities' earlier decision not to initiate a criminal investigation into the case, and after the girl's father shot the truck driver.

At around 9:45 am on September 4, 2024, a truck driven by Nguyen Van Bao Trung, a 33-year-old resident of Tra Vinh Province, also in the south, attempted to overtake a pickup truck, driven by Nguyen Van Minh, 48, from Thanh Hoa Province in north-central Vietnam. 

The pickup truck was traveling slowly ahead of the truck in the same direction before pulling over to the right side of Provincial Road 901 in Tra On District, Vinh Long Province.

At that time, two electric bicycles ridden by T.N.X.Nh. (leading) and Nguyen Ngoc Bao Tran, 14, with her friend L.M.Ng. riding pillion (following), were traveling in the opposite direction.

Upon noticing the truck encroaching onto their lane, Nh. braked sharply and stopped near the right shoulder. Tran's bicycle collided with Nh.'s, causing Tran to fall into the path of Trung's truck, which then ran over her, resulting in her death.

Following the accident, police in Tra On District decided not to initiate a criminal investigation, saying that "the person who committed the act that endangered society already died."

In response, Tran's father, 43-year-old Nguyen Vinh Phuc, and his lawyer filed complaints with local authorities, which were subsequently rejected. 

Frustrated, on April 28, Phuc went to Trung's home with a homemade firearm, shot him in the head, and then used the same weapon to take his own life. Trung survived the shooting.

After the incident gained public attention, the Ministry of Public Security reviewed the case file.

The ministry recommended that the Supreme People's Procuracy annul the Vinh Long People's Procuracy's decision to reject Phuc’s complaint. 

Upon reviewing the case, the Supreme People's Procuracy concluded that Trung's actions in overtaking the pickup truck without ensuring safety, while there was oncoming traffic, violated the 2008 Road Traffic Law.

Consequently, the Supreme People's Procuracy annulled the decisions of the Tra On District People's Procuracy and the Vinh Long People's Procuracy.

The Tra On District Police chief’s decision not to initiate a criminal investigation into the case was also canceled.

The Ministry of Public Security is closely monitoring the case, providing guidance to ensure a thorough and impartial resolution, and holding accountable any individuals found to be in violation of the law.

The ministry has also instructed the Vinh Long Police to promptly review and take appropriate action against any officials involved in mishandling the case, ensuring full compliance with regulations.