Group of "speed demons" racing on Saigon bridge sentenced

Recently, the People's Court of Binh Thanh District (Ho Chi Minh City) sentenced 36 defendants for organizing and encouraging illegal street racing on the Saigon Bridge. Among them, 22 defendants are aged between 17 and 19.

In court, defendants Quach Tuan Anh (born in 2004, residing in District 4), Tran Doan The Hai (born in 2003, residing in Binh Thanh District, both masterminds), and their accomplices admitted to the crimes as stated in the indictment. Defendant Tuan Anh also confessed that from July to August 2023, he organized illegal street races five times. Several other defendants also confessed to participating in and encouraging street races multiple times, believing that "street racing is not punishable by imprisonment."

The court determined that the Saigon Bridge is a vital transportation artery with a very high volume of traffic. The reckless actions of Quach Tuan Anh (born in 2004) and his accomplices not only disrupted public order but also posed a serious threat to traffic safety, lives, and property.

Consequently, the court sentenced defendants Tuan Anh and The Hai to 1 year and 3 months in prison each for "Disrupting public order." The remaining defendants were sentenced to 6-18 months of suspended imprisonment and 6-9 months of non-custodial correctional training for the same crime.

According to the indictment, on the evening of August 15, 2023, Tuan Anh messaged Hai and several others, inviting them to participate in a street race to see "whose car is stronger?". Following the invitation, the individuals shared information in a private group on social media and gathered to compete in speed races.

This group announced they would gather in front of a convenience store in District 1 (Ho Chi Minh City). There, Tuan Anh and nearly 50 other "speed demons" riding modified bikes moved to Nguyen Huu Canh Street (near the foot of Saigon Bridge, Ward 22, Binh Thanh District), where another 10 modified bikes joined them to form a convoy.

The group then split into two smaller teams. The first team, consisting of eight individuals, directly participated in the race, while the other team followed, cheering and filming with their phones. These reckless "speed demons" daringly entered the car lanes on the Saigon Bridge, speeding at up to 120 km/hour.

The group of "reckless drivers" at the police station.

While the group was racing on the Saigon Bridge down to Hanoi Highway (now Vo Nguyen Giap Street, Thu Duc City), they were intercepted by the Traffic Police Department (PC08, Ho Chi Minh City Police) and the Binh Thanh District Police. At the scene, authorities temporarily detained 38 reckless drivers and 37 motorcycles of various types. During questioning, the group of "reckless drivers" confessed to having raced three times on the bridge.

During the investigation, the Binh Thanh District Police issued administrative penalties for the group of individuals (under 16 years old) who were riding on the back of the motorbike and participating in cheering on illegal street racing for the first time, for the offense of "Gathering to cheer on illegal street racing"; and simultaneously notified the local authorities for management and education as prescribed.

The modified vehicle was seized at the police station.

In 23 cases, the vehicle owners handed over their vehicles to individuals who were not qualified to operate them, violating the regulations in Clause 1, Article 58 of the Road Traffic Law. The police issued administrative penalties in 22 of these cases. Regarding the individuals whose identities are still unknown and who participated in the street racing, the district police are continuing to investigate and will propose further action once their identities are clarified.

HOANG HIEU

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/nhom-quai-xe-dua-xe-tren-cau-sai-gon-linh-an-post744951.html