Bus driver in deadly Virginia crash charged with involuntary manslaughter

May 31, 2026

A tour bus driver in Virginia has been arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter after a devastating highway collision claimed five lives and injured over 40 people. The driver, Jing S Dong, allegedly failed to reduce speed while approaching a construction zone on Interstate 95, causing the bus to slam into slower-moving traffic at high velocity. This initial impact triggered a multi-vehicle chain reaction involving at least eight cars, one of which burst into flames with a family of four inside who were traveling to a wedding.

Who is affected

Five deceased victims: Dmitri Doncev (44-year-old female), Ecaterina Doncev (his wife), Emily Doncev (13-year-old daughter), Mark Doncev (7-year-old son), and Priscilla Mafalda (25-year-old)
Approximately 44 people sent to hospitals, including three with critical injuries
Bus driver Jing S Dong (injured and arrested)
The Doncev family from Greenfield, Massachusetts
Passengers on the E&P Travel bus traveling from New York to North Carolina

What action is being taken

The investigation is ongoing
Jing S Dong has been arrested and served with felony warrants in the hospital
Dong has been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter, with additional charges pending

Why it matters

This crash highlights the severe consequences of negligent driving, particularly in construction zones where traffic patterns change and reduced speeds are required. The incident demonstrates how a single driver's failure to adjust speed appropriately can trigger catastrophic chain reactions affecting multiple vehicles and dozens of lives. The criminal charges underscore accountability for commercial drivers whose negligence results in mass casualties.

What's next

Additional charges are pending against the bus driver beyond the two current counts of involuntary manslaughter.

Read full article from source: BBC