STAFFORD COUNTY — Jing Dong has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with a high-speed bus crash on I-95 in Stafford County, Virginia, that killed five people. The crash occurred at 2:35 a.m., according to Virginia State Police.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that a high rate of speed was a factor in the crash. The bus failed to slow down as it approached a work zone on I-95 before colliding with six other vehicles.
Dong, a 48-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen originally from China who resides in New York, is a licensed commercial driver in New York. The U.S. transportation secretary has questioned the qualifications of the bus driver following the crash.
All bus drivers are required to hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL) along with a passenger endorsement. English language proficiency is also a federal requirement for commercial bus drivers, including the ability to communicate with law enforcement and read traffic signs. Some states have enforced the English language proficiency requirement more rigorously than others.
A federal entry-level driver training requirement implemented in 2022 mandates curriculum-based training and certification for commercial bus drivers. Most motor coach companies also have internal training programs for drivers.
Commercial passenger drivers are subject to hours-of-service limitations to prevent fatigue-related incidents.
Many motor coach operators have been evaluating the safety of overnight travel, with some limiting or reducing overnight trips. The crash occurred during the early morning hours, raising renewed attention to the risks associated with nighttime bus operations.