A bus driver has been charged in connection with a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 95 in Virginia that claimed five lives, including a family of four from Massachusetts who were en route to a wedding in South Carolina.
The tragedy occurred early Friday morning around 2:35 a.m. in Stafford County, when a motorcoach struck a Chevrolet Suburban, which then collided with an Acura carrying the Doncev family. According to Virginia State Police, the bus failed to slow down for a work zone, triggering a chain-reaction collision.
Victims Identified
Dmitri Doncev, 45, and Ecaterina Doncev, 44, along with their children Emily and Mark, were killed in the crash. The family had emigrated from Moldova to the United States in 2008 and settled in Greenfield, Massachusetts. Dmitri worked as a nurse at Holyoke Medical Center, while Ecaterina was a hairstylist who had spent days preparing homemade desserts for the wedding.
Priscilla Mafalda, 25, of Worcester, Massachusetts, who was in the Chevrolet SUV, also died in the incident. Several other individuals were treated for injuries, with one in critical condition, though most have since been discharged, according to Mary Washington Healthcare.
Driver Charged
The bus driver, Jing S. Dong, 48, of Staten Island, New York, has been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter, and additional charges are expected. It remains unclear whether Dong is in custody or has legal representation. The bus was operated by E&P Travel Inc., based in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, and was transporting passengers from New York to North Carolina.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the crash, which is expected to take several months. NTSB board member Tom Chapman indicated that the bus was traveling at a high rate of speed and that there was minimal braking before the collision. Chapman noted that the driver's language proficiency would be examined as part of the investigation. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated on social media that Dong, a native of China, does not speak English.
Family's Grief
Relatives expressed profound sorrow over the loss. Carolina Bublik, a family member, described the Doncevs as a close-knit family who cherished their Moldovan heritage. She recounted that Dmitri and his brother Iuri had been traveling separately to the wedding. Dmitri urged Iuri to go ahead, saying he would catch up. When Dmitri failed to arrive and did not answer his phone, the family grew increasingly anxious. The wedding, still scheduled for Sunday, will now serve as a somber occasion to mourn the tragedy.
The NTSB continues to gather evidence, with the investigation focusing on the bus's speed, driver actions, and potential mechanical factors. Authorities urge anyone with information to come forward.
