WASHINGTON (7News) — A deadly bus crash in Stafford County, Virginia, on Friday morning has renewed scrutiny over commercial driver's license (CDL) regulations in the U.S.
According to authorities, the crash occurred on I-95, involving multiple vehicles, resulting in five fatalities, including two children, and 44 injuries. Emergency response teams and medical aid were dispatched to the scene, and at least two lanes were closed for investigation.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the bus driver as 48-year-old Jing Dong, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from China, who received his CDL in New York State. Duffy noted that Dong does not speak English.
“This is unacceptable,” Duffy stated. “We are holding states accountable and enforcing road rules to ensure that drivers can communicate effectively.”
Lawmakers are advocating for Delilah's Law, which would prohibit individuals in the U.S. illegally from obtaining a CDL. This measure follows a tragic incident where an illegal immigrant was involved in a fatal truck crash in 2024.
Recently, a House Committee on Transportation has advanced a bill to impose stricter CDL requirements, including English proficiency.
Concerns over CDL issuance were heightened by last year's crash in Florida, where Harjjinder Singh, who allegedly made an illegal U-Turn, killed three people. Investigators noted Singh's questionable licensing obtained from Washington State and California.
The Supreme Court declined to review Florida's lawsuit against these states regarding their licensing standards for commercial drivers.