VietNamNet Bridge - In addition to fines of VND2.5 million ($120), an American man in Da Nang has to pay $3,000 compensation to a woman whose nose he broke by accident.

Last Thursday, the police of Thanh Khe District, Da Nang imposed administrative fines of VND2.5 million on Dennis Marshall Gray, 68, an American citizen, for infringing on the health of another.

Le Van Phuoc, 29, a resident in Thac Gian Ward, Thanh Khe District, who used a tire to pull Gray down the road, was also fined VND2 million ($100) for the same behavior.

"The fine on Mr. Phuoc is less than Mr. Gray’s VND500,000 ($25) because his behavior came from his discontent when he saw Mr. Gray beating Mrs. Nguyen Cuu Thi Thuy Trang," a police officer said.

The officer said that Mrs. Trang had just undergone major nasal bone surgery at the hospital. Mr. Gray has agreed to pay the victim $3,000.

When working with the authorities, the American man admitted his mistake. Specifically, when he left his apartment to go to Han Market, Gray called a 4-seat cab. On the return, he used a 7-seat taxi so the fare was higher.

Given that he was fooled by the cab driver, Gray scuffled with the driver. He tore the car registration document of the driver and left the taxi without paying a fare.

When the taxi driver ran after him to ask for the fare, Gray gave him a punch but it hit a passer-by – Mrs. Trang, 37, a resident of Lien Chieu district.

This behavior was defined as unintentional so Gray was not subject to criminal penalties. Gray has also paid charges for the taxi driver.

The incident occurred at around 6pm on July 27, at the intersection of Hoang Hoa Tham Street - Ly Thai To in Thanh Khe District. After unintentionally injuring Trang, Gray walked away and was pulled by Phuoc, he saw what had happened.

One day later, a video clip showing Gray being pulled down by a tyre was uploaded to the Internet. Upon verification of the video clip, Thanh Khe District Police confirmed that this clip was incomplete and could create misunderstandings about the nature of the incident.

Thu Ly