A fatal crash on Interstate 95 in Virginia last week killed five people, including a 13-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy. The bus driver, Jing S. Dong of Staten Island, has been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter, with additional charges possible.
Driver Background
Federal officials confirmed that Dong, originally from China and a U.S. citizen, does not speak English. He obtained his commercial driver’s license in New York in 2024. U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy criticized the licensing system, emphasizing that drivers must be proficient in English to operate commercial vehicles safely.
Crash Details
Authorities reported that the bus slammed into stopped traffic at a high rate of speed. Dong was arrested but remains hospitalized for his injuries. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the crash separately from state police, focusing on the cause and contributing factors.
Federal and State Response
Federal law requires commercial vehicle drivers to read and speak English well enough to safely operate their vehicles, communicate with law enforcement, and understand traffic signs. Following the crash, Secretary Duffy said that any company, trainer, or school that enabled an unqualified driver to operate a bus will face scrutiny.
Last year, President Donald Trump issued an executive order emphasizing the enforcement of English proficiency for commercial drivers. Duffy also signed new guidelines this month reinforcing that drivers must meet federal requirements to safely communicate and understand road signage.
Licensing Concerns
Some states allow driver license exams in multiple languages, even though English proficiency is required. For example, California offered tests in 20 different languages. The Department of Transportation is reviewing New York’s licensing records and training procedures related to Dong.
