My dad served in Vietnam and told me that the Viet Cong used similar tactics, but by the time he'd arrived in-country (1970-71) the Americans were used to this and he was quickly taught to keep driving no matter what. He did a lot of supply runs for his artillery unit, so he knows how far a deuce-and-a-half will run with a flat tire and how far you can tow a howitzer when one of the tow bars comes loose.
I wonder if the perps in this case had military backgrounds?