HANOI, Vietnam — Vietnamese police and state media have publicly addressed a fatal traffic collision involving a former senior lawmaker after a massive surge of public outrage and online campaign activity.
The incident, which occurred on Nguyen Huy Tu Street in central Hanoi, involved a luxury car driven by former National Assembly deputy Nguyen Sy Cuong. Cuong's vehicle veered into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a motorbike carrying a man and his 18-year-old daughter, Do Ngoc Phuong Thuy. The teenager suffered critical injuries and passed away 10 days after the accident.
Although the crash occurred in May 2025, minimal news coverage at the time led to months of speculation on social media platforms. In recent weeks, virtual memorials and viral posts surfaced across domestic online spaces, with users demanding transparency and alleging official privilege in handling the case.
Supporters laid flowers at the crash site in memory of the teenager, though authorities moved quickly to clear tributes and manage public gatherings near the location.
In response to the mounting public scrutiny, state broadcaster Vietnam Television (VTV) aired an extensive news report detailing the police investigation. According to the Hanoi Police Department Report, testing determined that the driver was not under the influence of alcohol, held a valid driver's license, and cooperated fully with law enforcement.
Investigators concluded that while the driver committed a traffic violation by drifting into the wrong lane, he was granted an exemption from criminal prosecution under Vietnamese law. Officials stated that the driver admitted fault, compensated the victim's family, and received a written waiver from the victim's family requesting the dismissal of criminal charges.
The broadcast featured the deceased girl's father, who was also injured in the crash, confirming that the family agreed with the investigation's conclusions and considered the legal matter resolved. Security officials warned the public against spreading unverified rumors, attributing the resurgence of online discussions to external groups trying to cause public disorder. Despite the official report, the case continues to generate widespread debate online regarding accountability and transparency.
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