Authorities have revealed that the bus driver involved in a fatal crash in Virginia was not proficient in English, a situation that U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy deemed “unacceptable.”
The incident happened early Friday morning when a bus operated by E&P Travel, traveling from New York to North Carolina, failed to reduce speed near a construction zone. This resulted in a collision with multiple vehicles, leading to five deaths and numerous injuries, according to Virginia State Police.
The tragic event occurred around 2:35 a.m. A 13-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy were among the casualties, alongside a 45-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman, who all died when their car caught fire. They were residents of Massachusetts. Also, a 25-year-old woman in the car directly in front of the bus was killed.
Authorities reported that at least 44 individuals were transported to hospitals, with three in critical condition. The driver, Jin S. Dong, 48, who resides in Staten Island, New York, sustained injuries in the crash.
Police indicated that charges are forthcoming. Dong is a naturalized citizen from China and received his commercial driver’s license in New York just two years ago.
Duffy expressed his concerns, asserting that this situation exemplifies the need for accountability in training and licensing of drivers. He stated, “If you can’t get proper training, can’t read road signs, can’t communicate with law enforcement, you’re not qualified to drive a bus.”
Additionally, Duffy mentioned that the Department of Transportation is looking into New York State’s licensing and training records, as well as the driver’s background. He warned that companies and training schools that allow unqualified drivers to operate vehicles would face significant scrutiny.
It’s important to note that federal regulations mandate commercial drivers to possess adequate English proficiency to execute their responsibilities safely. Earlier this year, Duffy announced that an English-language licensing exam would be required for all truck and bus drivers.
