A bus driven by Jing S. Dong, a 48-year-old Chinese national who became a U.S. citizen but cannot speak English, plowed into stopped vehicles in Virginia on Friday at approximately 2:35 a.m., killing five people and injuring dozens.
The accident occurred near a construction zone on the I-95 southbound lane. Dong’s bus, carrying 34 travelers from New York City to Charlotte, North Carolina, struck a Chevrolet SUV that had slowed for construction. This impact propelled the SUV into an Acura and other vehicles.
According to officials, 44 people were transported to hospitals in Fredericksburg and Stafford, with three suffering critical injuries. Five fatalities were confirmed.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that Dong “does not speak English” and obtained his commercial driver’s license from New York State in 2024. Duffy described the incident as “unacceptable,” emphasizing it underscores the need for accountability in enforcing road safety regulations.
“This is exactly why we are holding states accountable, enforcing the rules of the road, and cracking down on drivers who can’t speak English,” Duffy added. He also indicated that any company, trainer, or school involved in placing Dong behind the wheel would face “intense scrutiny.”
Peyton Vogel, a Federal Transit Administration spokesperson, described the incident as “one of the most tragic things I’ve ever seen. Absolutely tragic.”
Dong was injured in the crash.
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