15-11-2024 (HANOI) A horrific series of collisions in Binh Duong Province ended in tragedy Thursday night when an intoxicated driver struck and killed a pedestrian, dragging the victim for several hundred metres before finally being apprehended by authorities.
The incident began around 10 PM when Ha Viet Hung, 43, initiated a string of collisions in Thu Dau Mot City. After first striking a motorcycle, Hung fled the scene, continuing his reckless journey toward Dinh Hoa Ward where the situation turned fatal.
In a devastating turn of events, Hung’s vehicle struck 52-year-old Ngo Thi Thu Ha, who was standing by the roadside. Rather than stopping, the driver continued on, dragging the victim’s body for hundreds of metres, resulting in her death.
Local residents pursued the vehicle for more than three kilometres, witnessing multiple additional collisions with another car and several motorcycles before Hung’s vehicle finally came to a stop near an apartment complex in Dinh Hoa Ward. The trail of destruction left his car with extensive damage, including a shattered windscreen and broken front bumper, while three motorcycles lay damaged amidst scattered debris.
When Hung finally emerged from his vehicle, witnesses described him as visibly intoxicated and struggling to maintain his balance. Subsequent blood alcohol testing revealed levels of 0.987 mg/l, more than twice the legal threshold for maximum penalties under Vietnamese law. Adding to his offences, Hung was unable to present a valid driving licence when questioned by authorities.
Police have taken Hung into custody as they investigate the incident, which represents a serious breach of Vietnam’s strict drunk driving laws. Under current legislation, car drivers found with alcohol levels exceeding 0.4 mg/l face fines of up to 40 million dong ($1,575). However, in cases involving casualties like this one, perpetrators face criminal prosecution with potentially severe consequences.
