Traffic police failed to stop the truck that caused the accident that killed 13 people.

Discovering a truck speeding at night, Gia Lai traffic police used their vehicles to chase after it but were too late before witnessing the tragic accident that killed 13 people.

On the evening of May 7, another passenger died in an accident between a sleeper bus and a truck on National Highway 14 through Chu Se town (Gia Lai), bringing the total number of victims to 13.

Gia Lai police said that after a quick test, the driver tested negative for drugs. Photo: Nhat Ha.

Lieutenant Colonel Truong Duc Duong, Deputy Head of the Criminal Police Department of Gia Lai Province Police, said that the initial cause of the accident was due to the truck traveling at high speed (105km/h) and encroaching into the opposite lane. "After a quick test, the driver tested negative for drugs. We will continue to investigate and clarify any unusual signs of the truck," said Lieutenant Colonel Duong.

The truck driven by Vo Van Quy (27 years old, from Binh Dinh) was carrying 20 tons of fertilizer from Binh Dinh to Chu Puh district, Gia Lai to unload. Dang Duy Phuc (23 years old, from Binh Dinh) was also on the truck.

According to the Traffic Police Department, at more than 4am the same day, a truck passed the Duc Long Gia Lai toll station., 20 km from the accident scene.After a while, pA truck suddenly passed by, the traffic police patrol team at the checkpoint chased after it but couldn't catch up.When arriving at Chu Se town (road with median strip), discovered that the truck had hit the passenger bus.

The accident killed 12 people on the bus and the truck driver. More than 30 people are being treated in the emergency room. "Driver Quy is in a coma and in critical condition due to a traumatic brain injury and a collapsed lung," said the leader of Gia Lai General Hospital.

A truck crashed into a passenger car from the opposite direction. Photo: Kh.Uyen.

Mr. Vo Ngoc Thanh - Chairman of Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee - said that after the accident, the province directed departments and hospitals to concentrate all human and medical resources to rescue the victims. At the same time, the province also shared and promptly encouraged the individuals and families of the victims.

The provincial chairman also requested the Ministry of Transport to inspect vehicle inspection centers and driver testing centers to avoid drivers who are not healthy enough or do not have a driver's license, causing danger to road users.

"The truck driver who caused the accident needs to be retested to see if he was high on drugs or not because the truck was traveling at high speed, swerving, and honking continuously for a long stretch of road, which was very unusual," said Mr. Thanh.

According to VNE