Truck driver jailed for 8 years for accidental crash that killed 6 of a family

Vu Van Hao, 43, drove the truck from Tuong Duong District to Ky Son District to purchase dong leaves used for wrapping cakes on Jan. 1 this year.

At around 5:00 p.m., while driving in Ky Son, he descended a hill but drove in neutral gear, allowing the vehicle to roll freely, and was unable to control it when he approached a sharp curve.

The police determined that he did not react in time, causing the truck to veer onto the wrong side of the road and crash into the house of Va Ba Do, 29.

At the time Do's mother, sister-in-law and four children, sons of Do's brothers and aged between three and eight, were in the house.

All of them were killed instantly.

Vu Van Hao at a court in Nghe An Province, June 19, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Hung Le

After the accident, Hao turned himself in to the police. They found he was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

In court, he said that when he noticed the truck was speeding, he attempted to shift gears and brake, but in vain.

Seeing the vehicle heading toward the house, he tried to steer to the right to crash into the mountainside but again failed, he said.

"I was terrified by seeing so many people crushed under the wheels."

He expressed deep remorse and said the incident had left him traumatized.

The scene of the fatal accident in Ky Son District of Nghe An Province on Jan. 1, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Hung Le

Hao and his family paid the victims' families VND1.5 billion (US$57,400), and he hoped for forgiveness from them.

Do said his loss was irreplaceable but still requested the court to consider a lighter sentence for Hao because he was remorseful and tried to make restitution.