WASHINGTON (7News) — The driver involved in a recent deadly crash in Stafford County was legally in the U.S. and has a commercial driver's license (CDL) from New York.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the driver is 48-year-old Jing Dong, a naturalized U.S. citizen from China. Duffy noted that Dong does not speak English.
The crash occurred on a busy section of Interstate 95, resulting in five fatalities, including two children, and injuring 44 others. Authorities reported that the bus collided with multiple vehicles before coming to a stop.
Duffy emphasized the need for accountability in CDL issuance, stating, “If you can't be properly trained, read our road signs, or communicate with law enforcement, you have no business driving a bus.” He supports efforts to enforce English proficiency regulations.
In response to the incident, lawmakers are advocating for “Delilah's Law,” which aims to prevent individuals in the U.S. illegally from obtaining a CDL. The law is named after a young girl killed in a crash involving an undocumented driver in 2024.
Additionally, a House Committee on Transportation has introduced legislation to tighten CDL requirements and mandate English language capabilities among applicants. This follows concerns raised by a prior case in Florida where an illegal U-Turn led to three fatalities in a crash involving a driver with multiple state licenses.
Critics argue that the incidents highlight deficiencies in state compliance with federal commercial licensing standards. The Supreme Court recently declined to hear Florida's lawsuit against states over their licensing practices.