Vietnam Reopens Fatal Accident Probe, Former Police and Prosecutors Charged

The investigation into a fatal traffic accident that killed a 14-year-old student in Vinh Long Province, Vietnam, has been reopened after being suspended for nearly a year. On July 19, the Vinh Long Provincial Police decided to resume the investigation into a case of violating road traffic regulations, which occurred on September 4, 2024, in Vinh Loi commune, Tra On district. The truck driver involved in the accident that killed 14-year-old student Nguyen Ngoc Bao Tran was identified as Nguyen Van Bao Trung, 33 years old. The victim's family has received the decision to reopen the investigation from the authorities. Accident's Progression On the morning of September 4, 2024, Nguyen Van Bao Trung drove a truck from Vam Vong commune to Vinh Xuan commune, Tra On district. Seeing a pickup truck stopped on the right shoulder ahead, Trung activated his signal and swerved into the left lane to overtake. Simultaneously, three female students on electric bicycles were traveling in the opposite direction. One student in front stopped due to the narrow road and noticed the overtaking truck. The 14-year-old student following behind could not react in time, collided with her friend's bicycle, fell onto the road, and was run over by Trung's truck, leading to her death at the hospital. Following the accident, the Tra On District Police decided not to initiate legal proceedings, citing "no criminal offense." The victim's family filed a complaint, but their appeals were rejected by both the Tra On District People's Procuracy and the Vinh Long Provincial People's Procuracy. On April 28, 2025, Nguyen Vinh Phuc, 42, the victim's father, shot Trung and then committed suicide. A few days later, after reviewing the case files, the Supreme People's Procuracy concluded that the previous decisions to reject the complaints lacked sufficient legal basis. The agency stated that Trung had overtaken without ensuring safety when there was an obstacle ahead and oncoming traffic, indicating signs of violating road traffic regulations. Why Was the Case Suspended? In May 2025, the Vinh Long Provincial Police initiated a case. The investigation determined that Trung's swerving into the left lane to overtake the stopped pickup truck was the primary cause of the accident. However, at that time, Trung was receiving treatment for injuries sustained from being shot by the victim's father, and thus was not prosecuted. Three months later, the Vinh Long Provincial Police indicted Trung as a defendant, releasing him on bail for investigation on the same charge. During the investigation, authorities determined that Trung suffered from mental illness and lacked the capacity to perceive and control his actions. Therefore, at the end of 2025, they decided to temporarily suspend the investigation of the case and the suspect, and he was sent for treatment as per regulations. The victim's family subsequently requested the Ministry of Public Security and the Vinh Long Provincial Police to re-evaluate Trung's health status. Following the new forensic psychiatric evaluation from the Central Forensic Psychiatry Institute of Bien Hoa, the Vinh Long Provincial Police have reopened the case for further proceedings according to regulations. A representative of the victim's family stated their hope that the judicial agencies will resolve the case objectively and impartially, holding the right person accountable, without wrongly accusing the innocent or letting criminals go free, and to conclude the case soon so the family can stabilize their lives. Many Former Investigators and Prosecutors Prosecuted for 'Letting Criminals Go' In late May 2025, the victim's family filed a denunciation with the Investigation Agency of the Supreme People's Procuracy, requesting clarification on the signs of unlawful decision-making and the overlooking of criminals during the handling of the traffic accident case by the former Tra On District Police. On November 7, 2025, the Investigation Agency of the Supreme People's Procuracy requested the Director of the Vinh Long Provincial Police to provide relevant case files and documents to aid in their review. On March 26, the agency initiated a case for "not prosecuting a guilty person" under Clause 2, Article 369 of the Penal Code; simultaneously, they arrested and detained Mr. Le Quoc Viet, former Deputy Head of the Tra On District Police's Investigation Agency and former Deputy Head of Tra On District Police, and Nguyen Quoc Khanh, a former investigator. A month later, under the same charge, Ms. Phan Thi Truc Ly, former Deputy Head of the Tra On District People's Procuracy, and Mr. Le Phong Canh, a former prosecutor, were indicted and released on bail. Expanding the investigation, on July 14, authorities continued to indict Mr. Nguyen Hoang Van, former Head of Tra On District Police, and Mr. Huynh Minh Trung, former Head of the Tra On District People's Procuracy, who were released on bail. An Binh Source: VnExpress