The driver of a bus involved in a crash in Virginia that resulted in five fatalities reportedly does not speak English, according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. The incident occurred around 2:35 a.m. on Friday when an E&P Travel bus traveling from New York to North Carolina failed to slow down near a work zone and collided with several vehicles on Interstate 95 in Stafford County, as stated by the Virginia State Police.
Among the deceased are a 13-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy from Massachusetts, along with a 45-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman, who died when their car caught fire. A 25-year-old woman in the car directly in front of the bus was also killed. At least 44 individuals were transported to hospitals, with three in critical condition.
The bus driver, identified as Jing S. Dong, 48, from Staten Island, New York, sustained injuries in the crash. Police indicated that charges are pending. Dong, a naturalized citizen originally from China, obtained his commercial driver’s license in New York two years ago.
Duffy described the situation as "unacceptable" and emphasized the need for accountability among states regarding driver qualifications. He stated that the Transportation Department is investigating New York's licensing records and the driver's training documentation. Federal law mandates that commercial drivers must have sufficient English proficiency to perform their duties safely. In February, Duffy announced that all truckers and bus drivers would be required to pass an English test to obtain their licenses.