Family appeals light sentencing for former air force major in dead daughter's accident

The family of a girl killed by a military officer, who attempted to shift the blame onto a relative, has appealed the 14-month jail sentence, deeming it "too light." The former air force major, Hoang Van Minh, received the sentence from the Military Court of Area 2, Military Zone 5 in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam, for traffic violations earlier this month. The deceased girl's father filed the appeal, arguing that the initial sentencing did not adequately reflect the severity and consequences of Minh's actions. The family called for a harsher sentence to demonstrate the strength of the law. Minh was found guilty of causing a crash on June 28, 2022, while using his mobile phone, resulting in the death of a 12th-grade girl riding a motorbike. Minh had attempted to have his uncle take the blame for the incident. The appeal also raised concerns about the suspension of the case due to the defense team's provision of false documents or statements, suggesting that the trial may have missed other crimes involved in the case. The family requested a review of the case by the court of appeal.

In June 2022, Minh, 37, was driving a seven-seat car in Ninh Thuan province when he made a turn with his vehicle while using his mobile phone, colliding with the 12th-grade girl riding a motorbike. The impact flung the girl from the motorbike, and she suffered head trauma. Despite Minh and his wife bringing her to the hospital, the girl succumbed to her injuries. To protect his position and unit, Minh asked his uncle to pretend to be the car's driver and take the blame, while also seeking his wife's support for the lie. However, investigators uncovered the truth, and the judge panel noted that Minh's attempts at deception had tarnished the image of a soldier. The family, dissatisfied with the 14-month sentence, is seeking a more stringent punishment, considering the severity of Minh's actions.