Bus driver charged in Virginia crash that killed five people
Photo, provided by the Virginia state police, shows the scene of a fatal accident involving a passenger bus on Interstate 95 in near Quantico, Virginia, on Friday. Photograph: Virginia State Police/AP View image in fullscreen Photo, provided by the Virginia state police, shows the scene of a fatal accident involving a passenger bus on Interstate 95 in near Quantico, Virginia, on Friday. Photograph: Virginia State Police/AP Bus driver charged in Virginia crash that killed five people Driver faces two counts of involuntary manslaughter in Friday crash that killed five and injured more than 40 others The driver of a motor coach bus that killed five people and injured more than 40 others after crashing in Virginia on Friday morning has been criminally charged. Jing S Dong, 48, faces two counts of involuntary manslaughter, with additional charges likely, according to Virginia state police. Meanwhile, as it carries out a federal investigation into the wreck, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said speed, speed, fatigue and language proficiency are being investigated as factors in the particularly large accident. The driver, a US citizen from China, does not speak English, according to investigators. Officials also said there had evidently been only little braking before the crash due to its speed and severity. Dong – of Staten Island, New York – crashed into vehicles that slowed down upon approaching a work zone on interstate 95 in Stafford county about 2.35am Friday. Among those killed were a family of four from Massachusetts who were on their way to a wedding in South Carolina with a carload of homemade desserts for the event. The wedding was going forward on Sunday, though guests would also simultaneously mourn the loss of Dmitri and Ecaterina Doncev and their two children, Emily and Mark, a relative said on Saturday. The family emigrated from Moldova in 2008 and settled in Greenfield, Massachusetts. Dmitri was a nurse at Holyoke Medical Center. Ecaterina was a hairstylist who spent several days making desserts for the wedding. The family was driving together – but in separate vehicles – with Dmitri’s brother Iuri. “At some point, they ended up getting separated,” relative Carolina Bublik said to the Associated Press . “Dmitri said, ‘You go ahead. I’ll catch up later.’ It was a big shock when Iuri arrived at the house. Dmitri should have arrived around the same time. When his car did not show up, and he wasn’t picking up the phone – that’s when the family started panicking.” A GoFundMe campaign set up for the family’s funeral expenses by Sunday had exceeded its fundraising goal of $50,000. The campaign’s page said the Doncevs “became a cherished part of their community and touched countless lives” through their displays of “faith, kindness, and dedication to others”. Virginia state police said the E&P Travel bus that Dong was driving from New York City to Charlotte, North Carolina, failed to slow when other traffic did around the work z
Tragic loss of life in Virginia. It highlights the importance of rigorous safety training and oversight for bus drivers. Lets hope this incident leads to meaningful reforms and improved transportation safety for all. #SafetyFirst
In a world where every moment is precious, the tragic loss of lives in Virginia serves as a stark reminder of the critical role safety plays in our communities. May this incident inspire meaningful changes that ensure the well-being and trustworthiness of our transportation systems. May we continue to strive for a future where every journey is safe and every life is valued. #SafetyFirst
RIP to the victims and their families. May we learn from this tragedy and prioritize the safety of all travelers on the roads. #TransportationSafety #RIP