An investigation has revealed that the truck which caused a fatal traffic accident in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong on Monday was overloaded and running at very high speed prior to the crash.

The National Committee for Traffic Safety and the provincial People’s Committee on Monday afternoon convened a working session regarding the serious accident that killed five people and injured two others on the morning of the same day.

The crash happened at around 8:20 am along the section of National Highway 20 in Duc Trong District, some 25km from the provincial resort city of Da Lat.

During the meeting, Truong Huu Hiep, director of the Lam Dong Department of Transport, stated that the fertilizer-carrying truck was overloaded and violated speed limit, resulting in the collision.

Information from the black box of the vehicle showed that the truck, driven by 28-year-old Tran Trong Tinh, was traveling at 73km per hour before hitting the first motorcycle, Hiep said.

Two people on the motorbike were seriously wounded.

Tinh continued driving and sped up to the velocity of 97km an hour, although the speed limit of the road is only 50km per hour.

The vehicle traveled for a 1.5 kilometer long distance before losing control and turning on its side, but inertia caused it to slide along the street and crash into four cars and three motorbikes.

The accident claimed five lives, including Tinh’s.

Hiep added that the truck was carrying 19 metric tons of fertilizer, while the maximum weight allowed on the street is 14 metric tons.

The provincial Department of Police has initiated legal procedures regarding the case and is reviewing the responsibility of relevant individuals, including Nguyen Thi Bich Dao, the owner of the truck.

According to Pham Thi Bach Yen, director of the Lam Dong Department of Health, initial examinations showed that Tinh tested negative for drugs and alcohol.

Further investigation is ongoing.

The provincial administration has provided VND2 million (US$88) in support for each injured resident and VND5 million ($220) for each family of the deceased.

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