A bus crash at about 2:35 a.m. Friday on Interstate 95 in Stafford County, Virginia, killed five people and injured over 40 others, authorities said [1, 2, 3]. The bus, operated by E&P Travel and traveling from New York City to Charlotte, North Carolina, struck a Chevrolet Suburban SUV. This collision forced an Acura carrying the Doncev family and additional vehicles into separate crashes, causing a chain reaction [1, 2, 3].

Among those killed was a family of four from Greenfield, Massachusetts: Dmitri Doncev, 45; his wife Ecaterina, 44; and their children Emily, 13, and Mark, 7 [1, 2, 3]. Priscilla Mafalda, 25, from Worcester, Massachusetts, who was in the Chevrolet, also died [2, 3]. The Doncev family had been traveling separately but together to a wedding in South Carolina scheduled for Sunday [1, 2]. "A son, a father – the whole family – everyone that has been dear to us," said Carolina Bublik, a community member mourning the victims [2].

The 48-year-old bus driver, Jing S. Dong of Staten Island, was charged Saturday with two counts of involuntary manslaughter; further charges are expected [1, 3]. Dong is a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from China who reportedly does not speak English, a federal violation for bus drivers [1, 3]. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy condemned the driver's unqualified status, saying, "If you can’t be properly trained, read our road signs, or communicate with law enforcement, you have no business driving a bus" [3].

Investigations are ongoing and focus on the driver’s speed, fatigue, and failure to brake before the crash [1]. The Department of Transportation is reviewing Dong’s licensing, training records, and the responsibilities of the bus company and driver trainer [3].

Some injured people were treated and released, while one remained in critical condition as of Saturday [2]. A GoFundMe campaign for the Doncev family’s funeral expenses surpassed its $50,000 goal by Sunday [1].

The Doncev family’s wedding will take place Sunday in South Carolina amid mourning for the lost relatives [1, 2].