Ha Tinh (VNA) – The People’s Procuracy of central Vietnam's Ha Tinh province has approved a decision to initiate legal proceedings agaisnt and temporarily detain the driver of a passenger bus involved in a tragic accident that killed 10 people on July 25.
According to the provincial procuracy, the driver Le Ngoc Thanh, born in 1989 and residing in in the central province of Thanh Hoa, has been charged with “violating road traffic regulations” under Clause 3, Article 260 of the Penal Code.
The accident occurred at around 1:50 am on July 25 when Thanh was driving a sleeper bus carrying 28 people on a route from Hanoi to Da Nang. As the vehicle reached Km 571+800 on National Highway 1A in Dong Trinh residential group, Song Tri ward, Ha Tinh province, it was raining and the road surface was wet and sloped downhill.
The driver told investigators that at that time, he believed no vehicles were nearby and continued driving at a speed of 99 km per hour, exceeding the maximum speed limit of 80 km per hour for that section of the road. Due to the excessive speed and slippery conditions, he lost control of the vehicle, which veered off course, hitting roadside markers, a drainage ditch, and a high-voltage power pole before overturning and sliding into an empty lot.
The crash resulted in 10 deaths and 15 injuries, while the bus was heavily damaged.
The Ha Tinh provincial People’s Procuracy said this was a particularly serious traffic accident drawing significant public attention. As a result, it has been classified as a major case to be handled under prioritised procedures, ensuring timely, accurate, and strict investigation, prosecution, and adjudication to serve the local political mission./.