Updated: 4:10 p.m.
STAFFORD, VA — Virginia State Police are investigating a multi-vehicle crash that killed five people early Wednesday on southbound Interstate 95 in Stafford County.
The crash occurred at about 2:35 a.m. at the 146-mile marker, according to Virginia State Police. Investigators said traffic was slowing for an upcoming work zone when a bus operated by E&P Travel failed to slow and struck a Chevrolet Suburban.
The bus was traveling from New York City to Charlotte, North Carolina, police said.
After the bus hit the Suburban, the Suburban was pushed into an Acura SUV and other vehicles. The bus also struck additional vehicles, according to the preliminary investigation.
Police said the bus was carrying about 34 people at the time of the crash.
Five people were killed. Four were in the Acura: a 45-year-old man, a 44-year-old woman, a 13-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy, all from Greenfield, Massachusetts. Police said the Acura caught fire after the collisions.
The fifth person killed was a 25-year-old woman from Worcester, Massachusetts, who was in the Suburban.
About 44 patients were taken to area hospitals, including three with critical injuries, police said.
The bus driver, Jing S. Dong, 48, of Staten Island, New York, was injured in the crash. Police said charges are pending.
The crash remains under investigation. State Police said investigators also are reviewing the bus driver’s actions before the crash.
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