Bus driver charged with manslaughter in massive crash that killed 5 on I-95

The driver of a tour bus involved in a deadly chain-reaction crash on Interstate 95 in Stafford County, Virginia, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter. The crash, which occurred on Friday morning, resulted in five fatalities and left 44 people injured, including three in critical condition. Jing S. Dong, 48, from Staten Island, New York, who was injured in the accident and remains hospitalized, faces two counts of involuntary manslaughter with additional charges expected. He is being held without bond pending a court appearance. The collision unfolded as traffic slowed near a work zone on I-95 south, approximately 45 miles south of Washington, D.C. The bus, traveling at speed, struck a Chevrolet Suburban, which was then pushed into an Acura SUV and other nearby vehicles. The crash involved at least eight vehicles in total. The Acura caught fire, and four of the five victims were inside it: a 45-year-old man, a 44-year-old woman, a 13-year-old girl, and a 7-year-old boy, all from Greenfield, Massachusetts. The fifth victim, Priscilla R. Mafalda, 25, from Worcester, Massachusetts, was a passenger in the Suburban. The bus was en route from New York City to Charlotte, North Carolina, carrying about 34 passengers at the time of the crash. Stafford County Commonwealth’s Attorney Eric Olsen stated that the driver’s actions were criminally negligent and that probable cause exists to hold him responsible for causing the crash. The Virginia State Police continue to investigate the complex incident, while the National Transportation Safety Board has indicated it is too early to determine the exact cause. This tragic event highlights ongoing concerns about highway safety, particularly in work zones where traffic conditions can change rapidly. The investigation and pending legal proceedings will seek to clarify the circumstances leading to the crash and hold accountable those responsible for the loss of life and injuries sustained.