Stafford County, Va. — Virginia State Police is investigating a multi-vehicle crash that killed five people and sent dozens more to area hospitals Friday morning on Interstate 95 southbound in Stafford County.
The crash occurred at approximately 2:35 a.m. May 29 at the 146-mile marker.
According to Virginia State Police, the preliminary investigation indicates that traffic was slowing southbound for an upcoming work zone when a bus operated by E&P Travel failed to slow for traffic and struck a Chevrolet Suburban.
The bus, which was traveling from New York City to Charlotte, N.C., was carrying approximately 34 occupants at the time of the crash.
Police said the impact forced the Suburban into an Acura SUV and additional vehicles. The bus also struck additional vehicles.
Five people were killed in the crash. Four of the fatalities were in the Acura: a 45-year-old man, a 44-year-old woman, a 13-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy, all from Greenfield, Mass. The Acura caught fire after the collisions, according to state police.
The fifth victim, Priscilla R. Mafalda, 25, of Worcester, Mass., was in the Suburban that was struck by the bus.
Approximately 44 patients were transported to area hospitals, including three with critical injuries.
The bus driver, Jing S. Dong, 48, of Staten Island, N.Y., was injured in the crash. State police said Dong has been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter, with additional charges pending.
The crash remains under investigation. Virginia State Police said investigators are also looking into the bus driver’s actions prior to the crash.
Information from Va. State Police. Edited by Dan McDermott.
UPDATE: Prosecutor says bus driver in fatal I-95 crash was driving in criminally negligent manner
