At least five people were killed and 44 others injured when a bus collided with multiple vehicles near a work zone on Interstate 95 in Stafford County, Virginia, early Friday morning, according to Virginia State Police.
What happened
The crash occurred around 2:35 a.m. ET on May 29, 2026, when a bus operated by E&P Travel, en route from New York City to Charlotte, North Carolina, failed to slow down as traffic approached a work zone. The bus struck six vehicles, beginning with a Chevrolet Suburban, which then rammed into an Acura SUV and other cars. Four occupants of the Acura died after the vehicle caught fire, and one person in the Suburban was also killed.
The victims in the Acura, identified as a family of four from Greenfield, Massachusetts, included Dmitri Doncev, 45, his wife Ecterina, 44, and their children Emily, 13, and Mark, 7. The fifth fatality was a 25-year-old woman from Worcester, Massachusetts, who was a passenger in the Suburban; her name has not been released.
In addition to the fatalities, 44 people were hospitalized. Seven adults were taken to Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, Virginia, including one in critical condition and two in serious condition. Twelve others were treated and released from Stafford Hospital in Stafford, Virginia.
The bus driver, 48-year-old Jing S. Dong of Staten Island, New York, was injured and is facing potential charges. Investigators are examining the driver’s actions prior to the crash but have not disclosed further details.
State police reported that traffic was slowing in the southbound lane approaching the work zone when the bus failed to reduce speed. Following the initial crash, two additional crashes occurred nearby.
The National Transportation Safety Board is sending a team to investigate the crash’s safety aspects.
Why it matters
This tragedy highlights the dangerous conditions vehicles face near highway work zones, where traffic disruptions require heightened caution. The loss of life includes a family traveling for a wedding, underscoring the human toll beyond statistics. Pending charges against the bus driver show legal accountability is being pursued while investigations continue. The incident also underscores the importance of thorough safety protocols for long-distance commercial passenger vehicles on busy interstate highways.
Background
Interstate 95 is a heavily trafficked corridor along the East Coast, frequently undergoing maintenance and construction that necessitates temporary work zones. Accidents involving large passenger buses can result in high casualties due to the number of occupants and potential for multi-vehicle collisions. The National Transportation Safety Board routinely investigates such incidents to determine causes and recommend safety improvements.
Sources
This article is based on reporting and publicly available information from the following source:
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