The case of container truck driver Pham Thanh Hieu (32 years old), who caused a horrific traffic accident in Ben Luc, Long An, concluded with a preliminary court hearing on November 27th. This truck crash in Ben Luc not only resulted in the tragic deaths of 4 people but also injured 25 others, shocking the public and raising serious questions about road safety and the responsibility of truck drivers.
Binh Nhut Intersection Tragedy: Truck Causes Chain Reaction Accident
On January 2nd, driver Pham Thanh Hieu, an employee of Thanh Duc Company, was driving a tractor-trailer carrying a container of rice, exceeding the permitted weight limit by 46 tons. Notably, before driving, Hieu had consumed alcohol with friends. Approaching the Binh Nhut intersection in Ben Luc district, Hieu lost control of the vehicle due to intoxication and crashed into a line of motorbikes stopped at a red light.
The court session for driver Pham Thanh Hieu regarding the Ben Luc truck crash, demonstrating the strictness of the law.
The truck crash in Ben Luc was utterly horrific. The out-of-control container truck swept away numerous motorbikes, dragging them for hundreds of meters before coming to a stop. The scene of the accident was devastating, with many dead and injured lying scattered, and motorbikes mangled beyond recognition.
The consequences of this truck crash in Ben Luc were extremely severe: 4 fatalities at the scene, 25 injuries, 21 severely damaged motorbikes, and total property damage estimated at over 200 million VND. The accident not only caused immense grief to the victims’ families but also served as a stark warning about the traffic law compliance of some truck drivers today.
Drunk Driver Flees After Truck Accident
After causing the horrific truck crash in Ben Luc, driver Pham Thanh Hieu fled the scene, seeking refuge at a relative’s house to hide and take detoxifying medication. However, Hieu’s attempt to evade responsibility did not escape the authorities. After 7 hours of hiding, Hieu was arrested and taken to the police station for investigation.
Blood alcohol and drug tests revealed that Hieu had seriously violated traffic laws by driving under the influence of alcohol (59 mg/100ml of blood) and testing positive for drugs. Hieu’s testimony in court revealed a lack of responsibility, admitting that he knowingly overloaded the truck to earn extra income, disregarding the risk of causing an accident.
Strict Sentencing in Ben Luc Truck Crash Case
At the preliminary court hearing, defendant Pham Thanh Hieu admitted to driving the truck that crashed in Ben Luc while intoxicated and expressed remorse. However, Hieu denied using drugs, despite the test results indicating otherwise. The representative of the People’s Procuracy condemned Hieu’s actions of fleeing and taking detoxifying medication after the accident, and proposed a severe sentence for the defendant.
Defendant Pham Thanh Hieu showing remorse at the court hearing for the Ben Luc truck crash, but the serious consequences of his actions are unforgivable.
On the civil side, representatives of the victims requested additional compensation for incurred treatment costs and emotional distress. One victim with 98% disability and loss of working ability demanded compensation of up to billions of VND. However, representatives of Thanh Duc Company disagreed with compensation requests exceeding their ability to pay.
At the conclusion of the trial, the Panel of Judges sentenced Pham Thanh Hieu to 10 years imprisonment for “Violating regulations on road traffic participation” under Clause 3, Article 260 of the Penal Code. In addition, Hieu was banned from driving for 3 to 5 years after serving his sentence. This sentence is considered appropriate for the particularly serious truck crash in Ben Luc, demonstrating the strictness of the law and serving as a deterrent against similar actions.
The truck crash in Ben Luc serves as a costly lesson about the unpredictable consequences of driving under the influence and disregarding traffic laws. It is also a profound wake-up call for transport businesses and state management agencies to strengthen control and tighten the management of transport activities, ensuring road safety and protecting the lives and property of citizens.
