Family of Four Killed in Virginia Bus Crash Identified
STAFFORD COUNTY, VA — A family of four from Massachusetts died early Friday in a multi-vehicle collision involving a bus on Interstate 95 near Quantico, according to authorities.
The crash occurred around 2:35 a.m. when the bus struck a Chevrolet Suburban, which then collided with an Acura carrying Dmitri Doncev, 45, his wife Ecaterina, 44, and their two children, Emily and Mark, ages 12 and 10. Also killed was Priscilla Mafalda, 25, of Worcester, Massachusetts.
Emergency services transported multiple individuals to Mary Washington Healthcare, where one was reported in critical condition, though most others have been discharged. The Virginia State Police confirmed that the bus driver, Jing S. Dong, 48, of Staten Island, New York, faces two counts of involuntary manslaughter and may face additional charges.
Dong was arrested and is currently hospitalized for injuries sustained in the crash. Authorities stated that he will remain in custody without bond until his first court appearance, which will be scheduled after he is discharged.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also investigating the incident, which involved a motorcoach traveling from New York to North Carolina. NTSB officials noted that the bus was reportedly moving at a high rate of speed and indicated that Dong’s language proficiency—he reportedly does not speak English—will be a factor in the investigation.
The crash has left the community mourning, as family members prepared for a wedding celebration in South Carolina. The Doncev family emigrated from Moldova in 2008 and settled in Greenfield, Massachusetts.
The investigation remains ongoing.