Authorities have identified the driver involved in a deadly bus crash on Interstate 95 in Virginia, as new accounts from survivors point to excessive speed moments before the collision that killed five people.
Virginia State Police said Jing S. Dong, 48, of Staten Island, was behind the wheel of the motorcoach that slammed into traffic early Friday morning near Quantico. The crash occurred as vehicles slowed approaching a work zone.
Dong has been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter, and investigators indicated further charges could follow as the case develops.
The crash, previously reported as one of the most severe highway incidents in the region this year, claimed the lives of five people, including a family of four from Greenfield who were traveling to a wedding. A fifth victim, a 25 year old woman from Worcester, also died after her vehicle was struck.
New details emerging from the scene have intensified concerns about the bus’s speed. A passenger, Rhonda Wright, described a terrifying sequence in which the vehicle failed to slow before impact.
“It jolted me awake, and I heard repeated crashes. The bus was going really, really fast,” she told The Washington Post, adding that she escaped through an emergency window as smoke filled the cabin.
Federal investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board have launched a parallel inquiry. Officials said early findings suggest limited braking occurred before the collision, pointing to the force and extent of the crash.
The motorcoach, operated by E&P Travel Inc., had been transporting passengers from New York to North Carolina. Transportation officials said the company operates a small fleet, and records show prior speeding related violations.
At least 34 people were injured in the crash and taken to area hospitals. Medical providers reported that most victims have since been treated and released, though several remained hospitalized, including some in critical condition.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the driver’s qualifications, including language proficiency, would be reviewed as part of the investigation. He noted that federal regulations require commercial drivers to read road signs and communicate effectively.
Governor Abigail Spanberger said the state continues to support victims and their families, describing the crash as a tragedy that has deeply affected the community.
This latest update shifts attention from the immediate aftermath of the crash to questions of accountability and regulatory oversight. With the driver now identified and facing charges, investigators are likely to examine whether human error, training gaps, or systemic failures contributed to the disaster.
The survivor’s account reinforces concerns about speed management in high risk zones such as highway construction areas. Despite clear signage and reduced speed requirements, large commercial vehicles continue to pose heightened danger when drivers fail to respond in time.
The case may also renew debate over commercial driver licensing standards across states. If language barriers or training deficiencies are confirmed as contributing factors, regulators could face pressure to tighten enforcement and ensure consistent compliance nationwide.
For now, the focus remains on the victims and the ongoing investigation, which is expected to take months before final conclusions are reached.
People.com
