On 18/8, the People's Court of Area 10 - Lam Dong sentenced Huy, a resident of Phu Thuy ward, for violating road traffic regulations, under Article 260 of the Penal Code.

The court determined Huy's actions constituted a serious violation of traffic safety regulations, directly resulting in the victim's death. Huy also faced aggravating circumstances for abandoning the deceased victim on the road.

Defendant Pham Quoc Huy at the hearing. Photo: Lam Dong Police

According to court documents, around 0h on 20/2, after consuming alcohol, Huy was driving an old Binh Thuan-registered car on Ton Duc Thang street towards his home.

Upon reaching the intersection of Ton Duc Thang and Nguyen Tat Thanh, Huy failed to obey traffic signals and pay attention, colliding with a motorcycle operated by Le Van Cuong, 56, a resident of Phan Thiet ward. The victim fell and died at the scene.

Huy did not stop. Instead, he continued driving away from the scene to evade responsibility. The victim's motorcycle became lodged under Huy's car and was dragged for nearly one kilometer, creating sparks along the road.

The incident occurred on the 4th day of Tet. Residents who witnessed the car dragging the motorcycle, with sparks and a loud screech echoing through the Phan Thiet coastal urban area, recorded videos. These were subsequently posted on social media and reported to the police.

Police later discovered Cuong's body lying on the road, approximately 800 meters from where Huy's car eventually stopped. Huy was then temporarily detained, and tests confirmed his blood alcohol concentration was 123,86 mg/dL.

Tu Huynh