QUANTICO, Va. — A family of four from Massachusetts was killed around 2:35 a.m. Friday in a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 95 in Stafford County, Virginia.
Authorities reported that the crash involved a motorcoach that caused a chain-reaction incident as vehicles slowed for road work. The bus struck a Chevrolet Suburban, which then collided with an Acura carrying Dmitri Doncev, 45; Ecaterina Doncev, 44; and their two children, Emily and Mark. Priscilla Mafalda, 25, of Worcester, Massachusetts, also died in the accident.
More individuals sustained injuries, with one listed in critical condition, according to Mary Washington Healthcare. Most others have since been discharged.
The bus driver, Jing S. Dong, 48, of Staten Island, New York, has been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter. Virginia State Police stated additional charges are likely. Dong is currently under medical care for his injuries and awaits his first court appearance, which will be scheduled following his discharge.
Preliminary investigations indicated Dong was allegedly driving in a criminally negligent manner, with police reporting he was speeding and possibly failed to brake effectively. The National Transportation Safety Board is conducting a separate investigation into the incident, focusing on the bus's operation and the driver's proficiency in English.
The family, who emigrated from Moldova in 2008, was traveling to a wedding in South Carolina. Witnesses described a family gathering both to celebrate and mourn the tragic loss.