Man jailed for throwing police officer onto car hood while fleeing DUI test

Nguyen Viet Cuong, 20, was convicted of manslaughter during a trial in Hanoi on Monday.

A known drug addict, Cuong had two prior convictions for disturbing public order and was on probation at the time of the offense. With this new conviction, his total prison sentence has been extended to 14 years and 8 months.

According to the verdict, on the afternoon of April 1, 2024, Cuong used drugs with four friends before borrowing a friend’s car to buy food. While returning, he encountered an eight-member traffic police team in Thanh Tri District and was asked to present his documents and undergo a breathalyzer test.

Lacking a driving license and fearing detection due to his drug use, Cuong accelerated, striking a police captain and throwing him onto the car hood. Cuong then drove at speeds of 50-60 kph, weaving and swerving in an attempt to dislodge the officer. After traveling approximately 240 meters, Cuong braked suddenly to avoid an oncoming bus, causing the officer to be thrown off the vehicle. The officer sustained minor injuries, estimated at 1% permanent impairment.

Cuong was apprehended at 5 p.m. the same day. While his breathalyzer test showed no alcohol, he tested positive for three drugs: ketamine, methamphetamine, and ecstasy.

In July 2024, Cuong was fined VND46 million (US$1,900) for driving without a license and using drugs illegally.

The car owner stated that Cuong had not informed him about hitting the traffic officer when returning the car. Investigators found insufficient evidence to charge the owner with failing to report a crime but fined him VND5 million for lending the car to an unlicensed driver.

Additionally, the homeowner where Cuong and his friends used drugs has been prosecuted in a separate case for illegal possession and organizing drug use.