Defendant Nguyen Van Bao Trung in court, before sentencing. *An Binh*

The court ordered Trung to pay over 246 million dong in compensation to the victim's family, covering funeral costs and emotional distress.

The verdict was announced by the People's Court of Area 4, Vinh Long province, on the morning of 15/10, after more than a day of deliberation. The judicial panel determined that Trung was entirely at fault for the accident that resulted in the death of student Nguyen Ngoc Bao Tran. "The defendant was aware of traffic safety regulations but failed to adhere to them," the presiding judge stated, emphasizing that the act had severe consequences and warranted strict punishment.

According to the judicial panel, Trung was granted some mitigating circumstances: his family had paid compensation for the consequences, he had a good personal record, no prior convictions or administrative violations, and this was his first offense. However, the defendant had not provided accurate, complete testimony about the incident and had not shown remorse.

The court affirmed that the prosecution of Trung for violating road traffic regulations, under point a, clause 1, Article 260 of the Penal Code, was well-founded. The judicial panel also rejected a request to return the case file for additional investigation to clarify whether Trung had assisted the victim or the identity of the person allegedly in the vehicle at the time of the accident, stating there was no basis for such consideration.

Defendant Nguyen Van Bao Trung listening to the court's verdict. *An Binh*

According to the indictment, on the morning of 4/9/2024, Trung was driving a truck on provincial road 901. While overtaking a car stopped on the side of the road, he swerved into the oncoming lane. Three 14-year-old female students on electric bicycles approached; Nguyen Ngoc Bao Tran collided with her friend's bike in front, fell onto the road, and was run over by the truck's wheels, dying.

Tra On district police initially did not prosecute the case. The victim's family filed a complaint, but the local prosecution agency rejected it.

On 28/4/2025, Nguyen Vinh Phuc, Tran's father, went to Trung's house, shot him, and then committed suicide. Trung survived but sustained severe injuries, at one point suffering from partial paralysis and nearly complete loss of consciousness.

After the Supreme People's Procuracy reviewed the case file and determined that the earlier rejection of the complaint lacked legal basis, Vinh Long provincial police initiated criminal proceedings. Trung was subsequently charged with violating road traffic regulations.

Forensic examination results determined that Trung did not suffer from a mental illness at the time of the accident and was fully capable of perception and controlling his actions. However, after being shot, he suffered from moderate dementia, losing his ability to perceive and control his actions, leading to a temporary suspension of the case for treatment.

Victim's relatives attending the court's sentencing, morning of 15/10. *An Binh*

By July, new forensic conclusions determined that despite suffering from post-traumatic brain injury dementia, Trung was capable of perception and controlling his actions. Vinh Long provincial police therefore resumed the investigation and subsequently recommended prosecution.

Regarding the initial handling of the accident, the Investigation Agency of the Supreme People's Procuracy has initiated criminal proceedings against six former police and prosecution officials from Tra On district for failing to prosecute a guilty person.

An Binh