Multiple people killed, dozens more injured in Virginia I-95 bus crash

STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. — Charges are pending against a bus driver after a crash on Interstate 95 south in Stafford County killed five people and injured dozens more early Friday morning.

Jing S. Dong, 48, of Staten Island, was behind the wheel of a bus operated by North Carolina-based E&P Travel when it struck six vehicles near the 610-Garrisonville exit at the 146-mile marker around 2:35 a.m. Dong was also injured in the crash.

The preliminary investigation found that traffic was slowing for a work zone on the interstate when the bus crashed into a Chevrolet SUV. The Chevrolet was then forced into an Acura SUV and additional vehicles. The bus also struck additional cars, officials said.

UPDATE: Troopers ID 5 people killed in Virginia I-95 bus crash

The bus was carrying 34 passengers and traveling from New York City to Charlotte, North Carolina, at the time of the crash.

Officials said 44 people were taken to area hospitals in Fredericksburg and Stafford, 3 with critical injuries.

"We've got patients in multiple hospitals. We've got the driver at a hospital here," said Peyton Vogel, a Federal Transit Administration spokesperson who was on the scene. "I've got to say, this is one of the most tragic things I've ever seen. Absolutely tragic."

Mary Washington Healthcare said it received 19 patients from the crash. Seven were taken to its trauma center in Fredericksburg, where four were being discharged and 3 remained in treatment — one in serious condition and two in critical condition. Twelve were taken to its hospital in Stafford, where they were later discharged in good condition.

"All patients will continue to be cared for at both hospitals with meals and personal needs until they can be reunited with their belongings or other transportation can be arranged," Mary Washington Healthcare officials said.

Virginia State Police

The National Transportation Safety Board posted online Friday that it was sending a "go-team" to conduct a safety investigation into the crash.

The crash closed I-95 south for just over four hours. All lanes of the interstate had reopened by noon, but traffic was still backed up for a couple of miles, VDOT officials said.

Local News

Virginia bus crash survivors share I-95 horror story: 'Blood everywhere'

Cameron Thompson

Depend on CBS 6 News and WTVR.com for in-depth coverage of this important local story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have information to share.