Charter Bus Driver Charged After Fatal Crash in Virginia

A charter bus driver from Staten Island, New York, has been charged in connection with a fatal accident in Virginia resulting in five deaths. Jing S. Dong, a driver born in China, and a naturalized U.S. citizen, obtained his commercial driving license in 2024. He faces two counts of involuntary manslaughter and other pending charges, according to the Virginia State Police.

The incident occurred on Interstate 95 in Stafford County. Dong’s E&P Travel bus allegedly collided with an SUV in the southbound lane. This caused a chain reaction where the SUV was pushed into another vehicle around 2:35 a.m. on Friday. A vehicle ahead of the collision caught fire, resulting in the deaths of a teenage girl, a young boy, and their parents.

The family involved in the crash was from Greenfield, Massachusetts, identified as Dmitri Doncev, 45, his wife Ecterina, 44, their 13-year-old daughter Emily, and 7-year-old son Mark.

Another victim, Priscilla R. Mafalda, 25, from Worcester, Massachusetts, was in the SUV directly in front of the bus and also died in the crash. Police reports indicate traffic was slowing due to a work zone. The bus, traveling from New York City to Charlotte, N.C., failed to slow down, striking a Chevrolet Suburban that then hit an Acura SUV and other vehicles.

Following the crash, dozens were hospitalized. Virginia State Police handled the aftermath at the crash site.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized that Dong, despite being a naturalized citizen, cannot speak English. This violates federal regulations requiring bus drivers to have sufficient English proficiency to perform their duties safely. Duffy criticized states for lax enforcement of driving standards and stressed the importance of English proficiency for drivers on public roads.

Additionally, Duffy noted the Transportation Department is scrutinizing New York licensing, training records, and Dong’s history. Any entity involved in allowing an unqualified driver on the road will undergo comprehensive evaluation.