Tragedy on I-95: Massachusetts Family Killed in Virginia Motorcoach Crash
A fatal chain-reaction collision involving a motorcoach has claimed the lives of a Massachusetts family of four who were traveling to a wedding in South Carolina. The crash occurred in a work zone on Interstate 95 in Stafford County, Virginia, during the early morning hours of Friday.
Details of the Collision
According to authorities, the incident took place around 2:35 a.m. When a motorcoach, operated by E&P Travel Inc., caused a series of collisions with vehicles that had slowed down for a work zone. Police report that the bus struck a Suburban, which then hit an Acura carrying the Doncev family. Priscilla Mafalda, 25, of Worcester, Massachusetts, was also killed while traveling in a Chevrolet SUV.
The victims include:
- Dmitri Doncev, 45, a nurse at Holyoke Medical Center.
- Ecaterina Doncev, 44, a hairstylist.
- Emily Doncev and Mark Doncev, the couple’s children.
A Family Lost En Route to Celebration
The tragedy carries profound significance for the victims’ community in Greenfield, Massachusetts. The Doncevs, who emigrated from Moldova in 2008, were traveling to a family wedding in South Carolina. Ecaterina had reportedly spent days preparing homemade desserts to bring to the celebration.
The family had been attempting to travel together in separate vehicles, but they became separated during the trip. “A son, a father — the whole family — everyone that has been dear to us,” said relative Carolina Bublik. While the wedding is scheduled to proceed this Sunday in South Carolina, it will serve as a time of mourning for the family.
Criminal Charges and Federal Investigation
The driver of the motorcoach, 48-year-old Jing S. Dong of Staten Island, New York, has been arrested and charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors stated there is probable cause to believe Dong was “driving in a criminally negligent manner.” Dong is currently being treated for injuries at a hospital and has been held without bond by a magistrate.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a monthslong investigation into the crash. NTSB board member Tom Chapman indicated that the bus appeared to be moving at a high rate of speed and noted that there seemed to be particularly little braking prior to the severity of the collision. The investigation may also look into the driver’s language proficiency; U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted that Dong, a native of China, does not speak English.
What May Happen Next
As the legal and federal processes unfold, several developments are anticipated:
- Legal Proceedings: Dong’s first court appearance is expected to be scheduled once he is discharged from the hospital.
- Additional Charges: Virginia State Police indicated that additional charges against the driver are likely.
- NTSB Findings: The federal investigation is expected to continue as a monthslong task to determine the definitive cause of the high-speed collision.