Authorities in Virginia have identified the bus driver involved in a crash that killed five people and injured dozens more.
The Crash
Just after 2:30 a.m. on Friday, May 29, a bus failed to slow down as traffic approached a work zone. The vehicle slammed into six other cars at high speed, killing five car passengers and injuring at least 34 others, who were taken to nearby hospitals.
The crash occurred when the bus, allegedly operated by E&P Travel, Inc. of Kings Mountain, North Carolina, collided with multiple vehicles. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the company has four vehicles and 11 employees and had three previous speeding-related violations as of April.
The Driver
Jing S. Dong, 48, of Staten Island, New York, was identified as the bus driver. Dong, a U.S. citizen originally from China, reportedly does not speak English. He received his commercial driver’s license from New York State in 2024. Dong also suffered injuries in the crash, though the extent is unknown. Charges are pending as state police continue to investigate his actions before the incident.
Victims
Four of the five people killed were passengers in an Acura SUV from Greenfield, Massachusetts, including a 45-year-old man, a 44-year-old woman, a 13-year-old girl, and a 7-year-old boy. The fifth victim was a 25-year-old woman from Worcester, Massachusetts, who was in a Chevrolet Suburban.
Passenger Accounts and Hospital Updates
Passengers described a terrifying scene inside the bus as the crash occurred. Some managed to escape through the emergency exit window while smoke filled the bus.
Hospital updates show that five of the 19 patients taken to Mary Washington Hospital have been discharged, with two remaining in critical condition. All 12 patients who were transported to Stafford Hospital have reportedly been discharged.
Official Reactions
Virginia Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized the importance of driver training and language skills for commercial drivers. He criticized the driver’s inability to speak English and noted that proper training and communication are essential for road safety.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger expressed her condolences to the victims’ families and prayers for the injured. Authorities continue to investigate the crash and are reviewing the driver’s actions, the bus company’s record, and other safety factors.
