A tragic accident occurred at the Thu Duc intersection in Ho Chi Minh City on March 16, 2025, when a Mercedes driven by 41-year-old Nguyen Thi Thanh N. crashed dramatically, hitting ten motorbikes and leaving several injured. Most heartbreakingly, the accident claimed the life of H.T.T.T., a 28-year-old college student from Dong Nai, who succumbed to her injuries the following morning.
According to the Gia Dinh People's Hospital, H.T.T.T. had been transferred there after being critically injured. Medical staff made valiant efforts to save her, but she passed away early on March 17, 2025. The unfortunate incident happened shortly after 5 PM on March 16, when many motorbikes were stopped at a red light.
Witnesses described the horrifying scene as reported by Dân trí, with Nguyen's vehicle crashing unexpectedly through the intersection. Initial investigations revealed she had been driving under the influence of alcohol, and shortly after the collision, she exhibited signs of emotional distress, reportedly due to recent family troubles.
The accident unfolded rapidly. It was clarified by Ho Chi Minh City's Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Unit, who are taking legal actions against Nguyen for her reckless driving. Preliminary findings indicated she had likely consumed alcohol resulting in a blood alcohol concentration exceeding the legal limit. Reports show she had deliberately driven the wrong way—into the lane designated for motorbikes.
On-site evaluation showed Nguyen's Mercedes sped through the intersection and struck the waiting motorbikes fiercely, leading to widespread chaos. Six other individuals sustained injuries, with two requiring urgent medical attention. Eyewitness accounts suggested the impact was severe enough to cause some victims to be thrown onto the car's hood and several meters down the street.
Following the crash, emergency services rushed the injured to Military Hospital 175, where it was reported by Tuổi Trẻ Online on March 17, 2025, there were eight other victims at the facility who had sustained lighter injuries. H.T.T.T., on the other hand, was gravely injured with multiple traumas, including open fractures and internal bleeding, necessitating emergency surgery and intensive medical care.
Despite prompt response and treatment—doctors activated emergency protocols and administered over thirty blood transfusions—H.T.T.T. could not survive the consequences of her injuries.
Authorities launched an investigation immediately following the accident, and Nguyen was taken for questioning. During inquiries, it was revealed she had been heading to Phuc An Vien Cemetery, carrying with her personal items including a handwritten letter believed to express negative emotions surrounding family issues. Eyewitness statements indicated she had gone out for drinks shortly before the incident.
Despite holding a valid B2 driving license, Nguyen’s actions have raised significant questions about her mental state and ability to operate a vehicle safely after drinking. The tragic events at Thu Duc intersection have sparked discussions about road safety and the consequences of impaired driving.
On March 17, collecting evidence remained underway, with investigators seeking to put together comprehensive charges against Nguyen. The broader community has expressed grief and concern, especially for those affected by the incident, as they navigate the aftermath of this devastating event.
District authorities, along with local health officials, will be focusing on increasing road safety awareness and possibly implementing stricter regulations for drivers under the influence, as the repercussions of this accident have reverberated throughout the region.
Further news is expected to emerge from the investigations and potential legal accountability for Nguyen, as more details about the circumstances come to light.