Container truck driver prosecuted for deadly crash

Injured victims being treated at Cho Ray Hospital in HCM City.(Photo: VNA)

The driver, Pham Thanh Hieu, will be prosecuted for the charge of violating traffic regulations. He will be put into temporary detention pending further investigation.

According to a report by the province’s committee for traffic safety, Hieu’s container truck hit 21 motorbikes waiting at a red light at Nhut Chanh junction in Ben Luc district, killing three people on the spot and injuring 16 others. One more person died en route to the hospital.

Witnesses said the truck kept driving after hitting the first few motorbikes and dragged some for about 150m before stopping.

Hieu tested positive for heroin and alcohol, according to Long An General Hospital. The driver left the scene after the accident but then turned himself in the district police station in the evening of the same day and was taken to the hospital for testing.

Two examinations were taken three hours part, but both results showed the driver had heroin in his system. The tests also revealed the driver had high blood alcohol content.

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh, Chairman of the National Committee for Traffic Safety, directed the settlement of the deadly accident. He assigned vice chairman of the committee Khuat Viet Hung to go to the accident site and work with the provincial People’s Committee to determine the consequences. He also called for support for the families of the victims.

On January 3, Hung and the provincial authorities visited the injured victims who are being treated at Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City.

Hung said the National Committee for Traffic Safety and Deputy PM Binh asked localities to increase inspections and crack down on traffic violations, particularly drunken driving. They were told to regularly test drivers, especially truck drivers, for drugs to ensure traffic safety./.

VNA