Charter Bus Driver Charged in Fatal Virginia Crash
A charter bus driver has been charged following a tragic accident in Virginia that claimed the lives of five individuals.
Jing S. Dong, who resides in Staten Island, N.Y., is a non-English-speaking naturalized U.S. citizen from China with a commercial license obtained in 2024. He faces two counts of manslaughter, and additional charges are expected, according to a statement from the Virginia State Police made on Saturday.
The incident occurred early Friday morning, around 2:35 a.m., on Interstate 95 in Stafford County. Dong’s bus, operated by E&P Travel, reportedly collided with a Chevrolet Suburban when he failed to slow down for traffic, resulting in a series of crashes involving multiple vehicles.
Tragically, a teenage girl and boy sitting at the front of the bus lost their lives, along with their parents, as the vehicle caught fire. A woman in the SUV ahead also died in the accident. The family has been identified as Dmitri Donsev, 45, Exelina, 44, their 13-year-old daughter Emily, and 7-year-old son Mark, all from Greenfield, Massachusetts.
The Virginia State Police indicated that traffic had slowed due to upcoming road work. The bus, traveling from New York City to Charlotte, North Carolina, failed to brake in time, ultimately crashing into the Suburban, which collided with an Acura and other vehicles.
Dozens of individuals were transported to hospitals following the crash, which has drawn significant attention.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed serious concerns, noting that Dong’s inability to speak English goes against federal regulations which require bus drivers to possess full comprehension skills. This lack of language proficiency raises serious safety issues.
Duffy emphasized the importance of accountability, stating that measures are being taken to enforce road safety regulations and ensure that drivers are qualified. The Department of Transportation has launched an investigation into the situation, reviewing driver backgrounds, training documents, and state licensing records, underscoring a commitment to address any lapses in safety protocols.
