Defender Nguyen Huy Hoang, former captain of the Vietnamese national football team, was Friday detained by traffic police while in a hallucinatory state allegedly under the influence of drugs after his car hit a woman in the northern Thanh Hoa Province. Hoang, now playing for Song Lam Nghe An club, was reportedly speeding carelessly southwards on Ba Trieu Street when his car collided with the motorbike of a woman, who was later hospitalized with severe injuries, according to eyewitnesses. Even after the accident, Hoang continued driving his car onwards, and was only stopped by traffic police when he was waiting for the red light at the crossroads.
Astonishingly enough, the 31-year-old, in the traditional red uniform of the national football team, still did not have the slightest reaction when his car was besieged by police and curious local residents, except for his wild gesticulations and heavy breathing. Some locals recognized him as the former national player, and filmed his bizarre behaviors. With his mouth wide open and eyes closed, Hoang occasionally slapped his hands, and danced to music just like a drunkard or a drug addict, as shown in the video clip on YouTube. Nguyen Hong Thanh, CEO of SLNA Co, which manages the namesake football club, confirmed with Tuoi Tre that Hoang had caused the accident. “His car is currently being impounded at Thanh Hoa City’s police station, and the case will be handled on Saturday,” he said. Thanh added he has no idea what caused Hoang to lose control. However, SLNA coach Nguyen Huu Thang told VnExpress newswire Friday that Hoang “was not affected by any drugs.” “He just unintentionally caused the accident, and has settled the case with Thanh Hoa police,” he told the website.