STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. (7News) — A motorcoach bus collided with slowing traffic near a work zone on Interstate 95, resulting in five deaths and multiple injuries early Friday morning.
The incident occurred around 2:35 a.m. on I-95 southbound near mile marker 146, approximately two miles south of the Quantico exit.
Five people died, including two children, while 44 others were taken to hospitals; three of them suffered critical injuries.
The deceased have been identified as four individuals from an Acura that caught fire: a 45-year-old male, a 44-year-old female, a 13-year-old female, and a 7-year-old male, all from Greenfield, Massachusetts. The fifth fatality, Priscilla R. Mafalda, 25, of Worcester, Massachusetts, was in the Suburban.
The driver of the bus, Jing Sheng Dong, 48, of Staten Island, New York, is hospitalized with injuries and has been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter, with more charges anticipated.
Stafford Commonwealth's Attorney Eric Olsen stated that there was probable cause to establish the driver caused the crash while driving in a criminally negligent manner. Dong remains in custody without bond.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating alongside the Virginia State Police. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, with a comprehensive review potentially extending up to 24 months.
Mary Washington Healthcare reported treating 19 patients, with 15 discharged as of Saturday at 3 p.m. Four patients remain hospitalized at a trauma center, with one in critical condition.