Fatal Bus Crash in Virginia

The driver of a bus involved in a tragic accident in Virginia, which claimed the lives of five people, reportedly did not speak English. This revelation prompted a sharp response from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who labeled the situation “unacceptable.”

The E&P Travel bus, which was making its way from New York to North Carolina, collided with several vehicles after failing to slow down near a work zone. The crash occurred around 2:35 a.m. on Friday, leading to the deaths of a 13-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy who were in the car directly in front of the bus. Alongside them, a 45-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman, all from Massachusetts, lost their lives when their vehicle was engulfed in flames.

Additionally, a 25-year-old woman, traveling in the same car as the children, also died in the incident. Emergency services reported that at least 44 people were hospitalized, with three of them listed in critical condition.

The bus driver, Jin S. Dong, 48, from Staten Island, New York, sustained injuries in the crash. Authorities indicated that charges against him are under consideration. It’s worth noting that Dong is a naturalized citizen from China and obtained his commercial driver’s license in New York just two years prior.

Secretary Duffy expressed strong concerns over the qualifications of drivers, stating, “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.” He mentioned that the Department of Transportation is reviewing licensing records and training documents from New York state, indicating that companies and training programs contributing to such situations would face increased scrutiny.

Federal regulations stipulate that commercial drivers must possess a sufficient understanding of English to perform their duties safely. In February, Duffy had already announced a requirement for all truck and bus drivers to complete their licensing examinations in English.