Fatal Crash in Virginia Involving Charter Bus Driver

3 weeks ago 0

A charter bus driver, Jing S. Dong, faces charges following a deadly crash in Virginia that resulted in the deaths of five individuals. Dong, a resident of Staten Island, New York, received his commercial license in 2024. He has been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter. Additional charges are expected, according to the Virginia State Police.

Details of the Crash

The crash occurred on Interstate 95 southbound in Stafford County. Dong allegedly collided with an SUV in front of his E&P Travel bus, which led the SUV to hit another vehicle around 2:35 a.m. on Friday. The collision caused one of the vehicles to catch fire, resulting in the deaths of a teenage girl, a young boy, and their parents.

The deceased family has been identified as Dmitri Doncev, age 45, his wife Ecterina, age 44, their 13-year-old daughter Emily, and 7-year-old son Mark. All were residents of Greenfield, Massachusetts. Additionally, Priscilla R. Mafalda, a 25-year-old woman from Worcester, Massachusetts, who was in the SUV directly in front of the bus, was also killed.

Investigation and Concerns

The preliminary investigation indicates that traffic was slowing due to an upcoming work zone. The bus, traveling from New York City to Charlotte, N.C., failed to slow down with the traffic, striking a Chevrolet Suburban. The Suburban then impacted an Acura SUV and other vehicles. Numerous other vehicles were involved, and many individuals were taken to hospitals for treatment.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted that Dong is a naturalized citizen from China and does not speak English. This violates federal regulations, which require bus drivers to have adequate English skills for safety purposes. Duffy emphasized the importance of enforcing regulations that ensure all drivers can communicate effectively on the road.

Authorities are scrutinizing New York’s licensing records, training documentation, and Dong’s driving history. Any entity that contributed to placing an unqualified driver on the road will undergo thorough investigation.