Investigators are examining the driver’s qualifications after five people died and dozens were injured on Interstate 95.
STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. — Federal and state investigators are examining the qualifications of a commercial bus driver after a motorcoach crashed into slowed traffic on Interstate 95 early Friday, killing five people and injuring 44 others in one of Virginia’s deadliest highway accidents this year.
The crash has drawn national attention because federal officials say the driver, who received a commercial driver’s license in New York in 2024, reportedly did not speak English despite federal requirements for commercial vehicle operators. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a review of licensing records and training documentation as investigators continue to determine exactly what caused the collision and whether additional enforcement action is warranted.
Virginia State Police said the crash occurred around 2:35 a.m. on southbound Interstate 95 in Stafford County near Quantico. Investigators said traffic had slowed for an upcoming work zone when a motorcoach traveling from New York City toward Charlotte, North Carolina, failed to reduce speed. The bus struck multiple vehicles, triggering a chain-reaction collision involving at least six vehicles. Authorities identified the driver as Jing S. Dong, 48, of Staten Island, New York. Police said the preliminary investigation found the bus did not slow as traffic backed up ahead of the work zone. Emergency crews responded to a scene stretching across several lanes of the interstate. The impact left wrecked vehicles scattered along the roadway and shut down portions of the highway for hours as rescue teams treated victims and investigators documented evidence.
The five people who died were traveling in passenger vehicles struck during the crash. Authorities said a 25-year-old woman from Worcester, Massachusetts, died while riding in a Chevrolet Suburban. A second vehicle, an Acura carrying a family from Greenfield, Massachusetts, was engulfed in flames after being struck during the chain reaction. The victims were identified as Dmitri Doncev, 45; his wife, Ecaterina Doncev, 44; their daughter Emily, 13; and their son Mark, 7. Family members said the Doncevs were traveling south for a family wedding when the crash occurred. Dmitri Doncev worked as a registered nurse in the mental health unit at Holyoke Medical Center. Providence Christian Academy, where the children attended school, said the family was a valued part of the school community and that counselors would be available for students and staff coping with the loss. Investigators have not yet released a final determination regarding vehicle speeds, braking actions, or other contributing factors.
The crash has renewed scrutiny of commercial motorcoach safety and licensing oversight. Federal transportation officials said they are reviewing how Dong obtained his commercial driver’s license and whether all qualification standards were met. Duffy said federal law requires commercial drivers to demonstrate English proficiency sufficient to understand road signs, receive instructions and communicate with law enforcement. He described the circumstances surrounding the licensing process as unacceptable and pledged a thorough review. The National Transportation Safety Board has opened its own investigation into the crash. The motorcoach was operated by E&P Travel Inc., a North Carolina-based company that had previously held a satisfactory federal safety rating. Investigators are expected to examine driver records, company training procedures, vehicle maintenance history, work-zone conditions and onboard data systems as part of the inquiry.
No criminal charges had been filed as of Saturday, although authorities said charges remain possible as the investigation progresses. Police said Dong was among those hospitalized following the crash. Several passengers suffered serious injuries, and three people remained in critical condition after being transported to area hospitals. Officials have not released a complete breakdown of injuries among the approximately 34 passengers aboard the bus. Federal investigators are expected to review licensing records from New York, driver qualification files and any testing documentation associated with the issuance of the commercial license. The NTSB scheduled additional briefings as investigators continue collecting evidence from the crash site and interviewing witnesses. Findings from the investigation could influence future discussions about commercial driver qualification standards and enforcement procedures nationwide.
As daylight broke over the crash scene Friday, emergency crews, investigators and highway workers continued moving through twisted metal and debris scattered across the interstate. Families of victims began sharing tributes online while community members in Massachusetts mourned the sudden loss of the Doncev family. Dmitri Doncev’s brother, Iuri Doncev, wrote that the family’s death had left relatives with “broken hearts.” School officials, medical colleagues and friends described the victims as devoted parents and active members of their community. Meanwhile, passengers injured in the crash remained hospitalized across several medical facilities as investigators worked to reconstruct the sequence of events that unfolded in the seconds before the bus struck slowed traffic.
The investigation remains active. Federal and state officials are expected to provide additional updates in the coming days as evidence is analyzed, witness interviews continue and authorities determine whether criminal or regulatory actions will follow.
Author note: Last updated May 30, 2026.