Le Tan Thanh, 29, is held at a police station in Binh Duong Province,
December 8, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Yen Khanh. 

Police in the southern province of Binh Duong opened a criminal investigation on Thursday against a man who assaulted a high school girl for a minor road accident. 

Le Tan Thanh, 29, faces a charge of "intentionally inflicting injuries," a crime punishable by up to three years in jail.

CCTV footage shows him with a woman on a motorbike on Bui Ngoc Thu Street in Thu Dau Mot Town on Monday afternoon and making a sudden U-turn without turning on turn signals.

Two 10th grade girl students traveling on an electric bike behind Thanh could not stop in time when he unexpectedly turned and rear-ended his motorbike.

The girls fell on the street, but Thanh was unaffected.

He rushed to the girl riding the bike and kicked her violently in the face and body. He then took out a stick-like object to hit her head with it while verbally abusing her.

Thanh also threatened passers-by who sought to intervene before leaving the scene.

The incident triggered outrage on social media after the video of the incident went online, with many calling for severe punishment for Thanh.

He was arrested on Tuesday, two days before the police officially put him under criminal probe.

"Thanh has admitted to hitting people after the traffic accident and said he had been drinking before the incident," a police officer said.

Thanh works as tricycle driver in Thu Dau Mot, the capital of Binh Duong.

A medical examination determined that the girl had a long cut on her head. Her family has demanded a criminal investigation.

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh has waded into the debate, saying Thanh's behavior was "unacceptable and uncultured."