Bus driver in deadly Stafford County I-95 crash now facing felony charges

Update: Fox News Congressional correspondent Bill Melugin reports that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has escalated its inquiry into the crash by formally compelling the state of New York to provide key records.

STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. - Federal officials say the action comes after repeated attempts to obtain documentation tied to the commercial driver’s license held by Jing Shen Dong were unsuccessful. The records in question include training history and licensing-related materials.

Authorities are seeking to clarify how the driver was certified and whether all required safety and training steps were properly completed before he was allowed to operate a commercial vehicle.

The DOT has set a deadline for compliance later this week, according to Melugin, and has indicated that further steps could follow if the requested information is not provided.

Earlier: 

The bus driver involved in Friday’s deadly crash in Stafford County is now facing felony charges following a multi-agency investigation that authorities say points to speeding and criminal negligence as key factors in the collision that killed five people and injured dozens more.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Virginia State Police are continuing their investigation, but the Stafford County Commonwealth’s Attorney has said there is probable cause to believe the tour bus driver operated the vehicle in a criminally negligent manner in a crash that claimed the lives of a family of four and another young woman.

What we know:

The victims include Dmitri Doncev, Ecaterina Doncev, and their two children, 13-year-old Emily Doncev and 7-year-old Mark Doncev, who were traveling to a family wedding in South Carolina when their Acura was struck and caught fire.

Also killed was 25-year-old Priscilla Mafalda, who was a passenger in a Chevrolet SUV involved in the collision.

Investigators say preliminary findings indicate the tour bus failed to slow down as traffic was backing up ahead of a work zone being set up on Interstate 95. The bus, operated by E&P Travel and traveling from New York City to Charlotte, North Carolina, struck a Chevrolet Suburban, which then collided with the Doncev family’s vehicle and others. The bus also struck additional vehicles in the chain reaction crash.

The bus was carrying about 34 passengers at the time of the crash. Authorities said roughly 44 people were transported to area hospitals, including three in critical condition.

The driver, Jing S. Dong, 48, of Staten Island, New York, has been indicted on three counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of reckless driving by a Stafford County Circuit Court grand jury. Officials said previously announced charges are still being processed through the court system.

Dong remains hospitalized with injuries sustained in the crash.

What's next:

Authorities said he was served with felony warrants at the hospital and will have a court appearance after his release and transfer. An arraignment will be scheduled at that time.

The NTSB will also review Dong’s driving history and examine E&P Travel’s safety record. Federal records show the company has received multiple unsafe driving violations in the past two years, including speeding 15 mph or more over the limit and a violation involving a driver not meeting English language proficiency requirements.

Investigators are also inspecting all vehicles involved for potential mechanical issues. A preliminary NTSB report is expected within 30 days.

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