_Scene of the accident that killed the female student on 4/9/2024. Photo: Residents provided_

According to a recently issued decision, the investigation agency of the Supreme People's Procuracy has reopened an inquiry into information regarding "failure to prosecute a criminal" that allegedly occurred at the former Tra On District Police Investigation Agency, Vinh Long province.

This action was taken because "Vinh Long Provincial Police has now provided all requested documents."

According to records, on the morning of 4/9/2024, Nguyen Van Bao Trung, 34, drove a truck from Vam Vong commune to Vinh Xuan commune, Tra On district. When he saw a pickup truck stopped on the right shoulder ahead, Trung signaled and swerved into the left lane to overtake.

At the same time, three female students were riding electric bicycles in the opposite direction. The one in front spotted Trung's truck and stopped due to the narrow road. The 14-year-old student behind could not stop in time, collided with her friend's bicycle, fell onto the road, was struck by Trung's truck, and died at the hospital.

Initially, Tra On District Police did not prosecute the case, citing "no criminal offense." The victim's family filed a complaint, but both the Tra On District People's Procuracy and Vinh Long Provincial Police rejected their appeals.

On the morning of 28/4, Nguyen Vinh Phuc, 42, the father of the deceased student, entered Trung's home with a handgun, shot him, and then committed suicide. A few days later, after reviewing the case files, the Supreme People's Procuracy determined that the decisions to reject the complaints lacked legal basis. The case files indicated that Trung had swerved to overtake unsafely when there was an obstruction ahead and oncoming traffic. This behavior showed signs of violating road traffic regulations.

On 7/5/2025, Vinh Long Provincial Police initiated criminal proceedings for the case, determining that driver Trung swerving to the left to overtake was the main cause of the accident.

After nearly one month of treatment, Trung was discharged from the hospital with severe sequelae, complete paralysis of one side of his body, and almost total loss of consciousness. By 5/8/2025, he was indicted by Vinh Long Provincial Police and released on bail.

In late May 2025, the female student's family filed a criminal complaint, requesting the investigation agency of the Supreme People's Procuracy to clarify actions such as: issuing unlawful decisions and failing to prosecute criminals, which occurred at the former Tra On District Police during the handling of the traffic accident.

On 7/11/2025, the investigation agency of the Supreme People's Procuracy sent a written request to the Director of Vinh Long Provincial Police for documents and evidence related to the ongoing review, but no results have been received.

The deadline for resolving the criminal information had expired, and the collected documents were insufficient to decide whether to initiate or not initiate criminal proceedings. Therefore, on 13/11/2025, the investigation agency of the Supreme People's Procuracy issued a decision to temporarily suspend the inquiry into the criminal information.

Regarding the incident, in late 2025, Vinh Long Provincial Police decided to temporarily suspend the investigation against Trung, following an expert assessment that determined the driver suffered from a mental illness and required treatment as regulated.

Meanwhile, the female student's family stated they have petitioned the Ministry of Public Security and Vinh Long Provincial Police to reconsider reassessing the driver's health.

An Binh