Virginia bus crash: Driver charged

STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. – A bus driver from New York has been charged with multiple counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection with a crash that killed five people on Interstate 95 in Stafford County Friday.

Bus driver charged

What we know:

Virginia State Police announced that 48-year-old Jing Dong of Staten Island had been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter on Saturday. More charges are pending. Dong was among the dozens injured in the crash.

The backstory:

The crash happened around 2:35 a.m. Friday on I-95 south near mile marker 146 in Stafford County.

Investigators said preliminary findings show southbound traffic was slowing for an upcoming work zone when the bus failed to slow down and struck six vehicles.

Victims identified

Five people were killed in the crash. Virginia State Police said one victim, identified as 25-year-old Priscilla Mafalda from Worcester, Massachusetts, was in the first vehicle struck by the bus.

A family of four was killed in the chain reaction, after their SUV was hit, then caught fire. A relative told the Associated Press that the Massachusetts family was traveling to a wedding in South Carolina. They were identified as 45-year-old Dmitri Doncev, 44-year-old Ecaterina Doncev, 13-year-old Emily Doncev and 7-year-old Mark Doncev. 

By the numbers:

Virginia State Police said at least 44 people were injured in the crash.

Mary Washington Healthcare said Saturday morning that it continues to care for patients from the crash.

The health system said it received 19 patients at both of its hospitals after the crash. As of Saturday morning, 14 of those patients had been discharged.

Five patients continue to be cared for in the trauma center. One remains in critical condition, two are in serious condition and two are in fair condition.

“Our thoughts and prayers continue for those who have been injured and for the families of those who have lost their lives during this sad incident,” Mary Washington Healthcare said in its update.

Driver’s record investigated

What’s next:

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Friday that investigators are reviewing the bus driver’s qualifications and licensing records. Duffy said Dong does not speak English and said federal law requires English proficiency for commercial vehicle operators. According to Duffy, Dong received a commercial driver’s license in New York in 2024.

The crash remains under investigation. Officials said more potential charges are pending.

The National Transportation Safety Board is also investigating the crash in coordination with Virginia State Police.