Female BMW driver who caused an accident received a 3-year, 6-month prison sentence.

Ms. Nga cried when receiving the sentence. Video:Van Diep

On the afternoon of June 17, the People's Court of Binh Thanh District (HCMC) sentenced Ms. Nguyen Thi Nga (47 years old) to 3 years and 6 months in prison for the crime ofViolation of regulations on road traffic participation according to Clause 2, Article 260 of the 2015 Penal Code.

According to the panel of judges, there is sufficient basis to determine that the defendant Nga operated incorrectly while driving the BMW, and at the same time drank alcohol, causing a serious accident. The defendant’s actions are dangerous to society, disregarding the law, knowing the consequences but still committing them, showing disregard for the lives of others.

"The consequences caused great pain to the victims' families and left many victims with lasting effects, so it is necessary to sentence the defendant severely to serve as a deterrent. However, the court also considered many mitigating circumstances for the defendant such as: honest confession, good character, actively compensating the victims after the accident; the victims' families all filed petitions to withdraw their complaints and request leniency for the defendant...", the verdict stated the basis for determining the sentence, rejecting the lawyer's request for the defendant to receive a suspended sentence.

Mrs. Nga cried throughout the sentencing.

Previously, Ms. Nga admitted that at the time of the accident, she was taking driving lessons and did not have a license. The BMW belonged to the company and was registered in her name. She had a driver every day, but that day he was busy so he drove himself.

She has an elderly foreign husband with cancer. She has young children, one of whom is autistic.

That night, she attended her father's birthday party until 10 p.m. She drank some beer and wine, but was "very sober" and decided to drive home. When she reached the Hang Xanh intersection, she saw a red light and stepped on the brake, but the back strap of her high heels got caught. In her panic, she stepped on the gas pedal, causing the car to rush forward and hit a series of cars.

Expressing its opinion on the case, the Procuracy said that Ms. Nga caused particularly serious consequences. The act of causing an accident due to drinking alcohol and not having a license is an aggravating factor in the case; however, the defendant also has mitigating factors such as being a first-time offender, having a good character, and having partially remedied the damage...From there, the People's Procuracy proposed that the People's Court sentence Ms. Nga to 3 years to 3 years and 6 months in prison..

Ms. Nga's defense lawyer asked the court to give her client a suspended sentence.

Having the last word, Ms. Nga expressed her remorse and apologized to the victims' families. "After serving my sentence, I will go to each house to apologize. The defendant also wants to remind everyone not to wear high heels when driving," Ms. Nga said and asked the court to consider mitigating circumstances so that she can return home soon to take care of her family and employees.

According to the indictment, at 11 p.m. on October 21, 2018, Ms. Nga drove her BMW from a restaurant to her home in District 12. At the roundabout at Hang Xanh intersection, Ms. Nga’s car crashed into people on 5 motorbikes stopped at a red light in front, dragging the woman a long distance. The BMW only stopped when it crashed into a taxi.

The accident left the woman dead on the spot, her husband suffered a traumatic brain injury resulting in 86% disability, and four other people were injured. In addition, the accident left five motorbikes and two cars severely damaged. Ms. Nga's blood alcohol level was 0.94 mg/l of breath.

After the accident, Ms. Nga actively compensated the victims' families and had their complaints dropped. During the investigation, Ms. Nga was approved by the Procuracy to change the preventive measure from temporary detention to house arrest.

Late last month, Binh Thanh District People's Court decided to detain her to ensure the trial and execution of the sentence.