A tragic accident occurred on Interstate 95 near Quantico, Virginia, early Friday morning, resulting in the deaths of five individuals and injuries to 44 others. The Virginia State Police reported that a bus, operated by North Carolina-based E&P Travel, failed to slow down for traffic in the southbound lanes due to a work zone ahead and collided with six cars around 2:35 a.m.
Details of the Accident
According to Virginia State Police spokesperson Matt Demlein, the five deceased were not passengers on the bus. Four of the victims, including two children, were in the same vehicle, while the fifth was in another. The victims’ ages ranged from 7 to 45 years old.
Emergency response was swift, with multiple fire and rescue departments, including 13 transport units and two heavy rescue squads, arriving at the scene. The Stafford County Fire Fighters Union described the scene as devastating, with multiple vehicles on fire and numerous occupants injured.
Investigation and Response
The bus driver, Jing S. Dong, 48, from Staten Island, New York, was among those injured. Authorities are investigating Dong’s actions prior to the crash, and charges are pending. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has dispatched a team to conduct a safety investigation.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger expressed her condolences, stating, “My heart is with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, and I am praying for a quick recovery for those injured.”
Hospitalization and Recovery
Mary Washington Healthcare reported that 19 patients were taken to its hospitals, with seven admitted to the trauma center in Fredericksburg. One patient remains in critical condition. Stafford Hospital treated and discharged 12 patients, while Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center treated and released 15 patients.
The Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, stated that the department is assisting with the investigation, reviewing the driver’s training documentation and licensing records.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
