Sentenced to prison for causing an accident but not helping the victim

Defendant Le Van Vuong. Photo: Phan Giang

On January 17, the People's Court of Quy Hop district opened the first instance trial of the criminal case against defendant Le Van Vuong (born in 1997, residing in Chau Hong commune, Quy Hop) for the crime of "Violating regulations on road traffic participation".

According to the indictment, at around 4:00 p.m. on July 17, 2018, Le Van Vuong, although not having a driver's license, still drove a motorbike with license plate 37H1-28182, carrying Le Van Hung (from the same hometown) from Chau Quang commune to Tho Hop commune.

Vuong's car was driving to block 11, Quy Hop town, because he did not pay attention and did not keep a safe distance, he crashed into the back of a bicycle driven by Ms. Nguyen Thi Vinh in front, going in the same direction on the right.

Ms. Vinh fell on the road, suffered a closed head injury and died the same day. Vuong was slightly injured but still got on a motorbike with Hung and left the scene. At around 9 p.m. the same day, Vuong surrendered to the Quy Hop District Police.

Explaining why they left the scene and did not help the victim, Vuong and Hung said they were afraid that people and the victim’s family would beat them. Vuong’s family has compensated the victim’s family 80 million VND. The representative of the victim’s family attending the trial asked the panel of judges to consider and reduce the defendant’s sentence.

Regarding Le Van Hung, the owner of the motorbike that caused the accident, the investigation determined that Vuong and Hung did not discuss or agree in advance about the delivery and driving of the motorbike. Vuong arbitrarily took the motorbike to take Hung out and caused the accident for Ms. Vinh. Considering that Hung's actions did not constitute a crime, the investigation agency had grounds for not holding him responsible.

The People's Court sentenced Le Van Vuong to 2 years and 6 months in prison.