Jazlowiecki & Jazlowiecki LLC extends its deepest sympathies to the families of those killed in this tragedy, and to all those injured. Our hearts go out to the surviving relatives of the victims — in particular the Doncev family of Greenfield, Massachusetts, who lost four members on their way to a wedding — and to the family of Priscilla Mafalda of Worcester. No words are adequate for a loss of this magnitude.
In the early hours of Friday, May 29, 2026, a tour bus operated by E&P Travel Inc. failed to slow for a work zone on southbound Interstate 95 in Stafford County, Virginia, and slammed into slowing traffic at high speed. The chain reaction crash involved at least eight vehicles, killed five people — including a family of four — and sent 44 others to hospital, three in critical condition.
The bus driver, Jing Sheng Dong, 48, of Staten Island, New York, has been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter, with additional charges pending. Virginia prosecutors stated that probable cause exists to establish that the driver "caused this crash and, at the time of the crash, he was driving in a criminally negligent manner." Early evidence suggests little or no braking before the collision.
The criminal charges against the driver are significant — but they are not the end of the legal story. Victims and their families may have substantial civil claims against the bus company and potentially other parties. Jazlowiecki & Jazlowiecki LLC is investigating wrongful death and serious injury claims arising from this disaster. Our firm has over 50 years of experience in complex bus accident litigation, including a $36 million settlement for victims of the Windsor Wildcats bus crash — one of the largest bus accident settlements in North American history.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Time limits apply — do not wait.
What Happened on I-95 in Virginia?
The crash occurred at approximately 2:35 a.m. on Friday, May 29, 2026, on southbound Interstate 95 near Quantico, Virginia, in Stafford County. Traffic was actively slowing due to a highway work zone ahead when the E&P Travel tour bus — travelling at high speed — failed to reduce its speed and struck the rear of a Chevrolet Suburban driven by Priscilla R. Mafalda, 25, of Worcester, Massachusetts.
The impact pushed the Suburban forward into a Honda Acura SUV carrying a family of four from Greenfield, Massachusetts. The Acura caught fire. In total, the chain reaction crash involved at least eight vehicles on southbound I-95.
The five people killed were:
- —Ecaterina Doncev, 44, of Greenfield, Massachusetts — killed in the Acura
- —Her husband, 45, of Greenfield, Massachusetts — killed in the Acura
- —Their daughter, Emily Doncev, 13, of Greenfield, Massachusetts — killed in the Acura
- —Their son, Mark Doncev, 7, of Greenfield, Massachusetts — killed in the Acura
- —Priscilla R. Mafalda, 25, of Worcester, Massachusetts — killed in the Chevrolet Suburban after being struck by the bus
Forty-four people were hospitalised, including three with critical injuries. The bus was carrying approximately 34 passengers from New York City to Charlotte, North Carolina. The driver, Jing Sheng Dong, was also injured in the collision and remains hospitalised under police custody, held without bond.
E&P Travel Inc. — What the Federal Records Show
E&P Travel Inc. is a small tour bus company based in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, incorporated on November 24, 2023 — less than three years before the crash. Federal FMCSA records raise serious questions about this company's operations and oversight:
- —Operating from an apartment address — FMCSA records list E&P Travel's registered business address as 612 Charles St, Apt 89, Kings Mountain, NC 28086. A commercial passenger bus company operating from an apartment address raises fundamental questions about its management, oversight, and corporate infrastructure
- —Driver out-of-service rate: 33.3% — more than five times the national average of 6.7%. This means that in FMCSA roadside inspections, one in three E&P Travel drivers was found to have violations serious enough to be placed out of service immediately
- —Incorporated less than three years before the crash — with a very limited operational history and minimal track record of regulatory compliance
- —Small fleet — the company operated only four vehicles with 11 drivers at the time of the crash
These facts raise serious questions about E&P Travel's hiring practices, driver training, supervision, and corporate accountability — all of which will be central to the civil investigation.
The Insurance and Compensation Picture — What Victims Need to Know
This is one of the most important practical realities for victims and families to understand. With five people killed and 44 hospitalised — including three critically — the demand for compensation from all claimants combined is likely to be enormous.
E&P Travel is a small company with a limited fleet of buses that appear to be leased rather than owned, and minimal apparent corporate assets beyond its insurance coverage. In cases like this, the insurance policy may be the primary source of compensation — and when a large number of seriously injured victims and bereaved families are all entitled to share in that coverage, individual recoveries can be significantly reduced.
This is why identifying every possible defendant and every available source of compensation is critical. An experienced attorney will investigate:
- —E&P Travel's full insurance coverage — including any excess or umbrella policies beyond the primary BIPD coverage
- —The owner or lessor of the buses — if the buses were leased, the leasing company may carry its own insurance and may bear independent liability for maintenance failures
- —The charter or ticketing company — if a separate company sold the tickets or contracted with E&P Travel to operate the route, that company may share liability
- —The bus manufacturer — if a mechanical defect in the braking system contributed to the failure to stop, the manufacturer may be strictly liable
- —The driver's personal insurance — in some circumstances, additional coverage may be available
Virginia does not have a no-fault insurance system. This means that injured passengers and the families of those killed do not have access to personal injury protection (PIP) benefits from their own insurance unless they specifically purchased such coverage. For many victims, E&P Travel's insurance is the only available source of compensation for medical bills, funeral expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Acting quickly and having skilled legal representation to secure your share of available compensation is essential.
Was This Crash Preventable?
Early evidence strongly suggests this crash was preventable. Key questions the investigation will examine include:
Did the Driver Fall Asleep?
The crash occurred at 2:35 a.m. — the peak period for driver fatigue. Investigators have noted it appears there was little or no braking before impact, which is consistent with a driver who experienced a microsleep or fell briefly asleep. The driver's Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data will reveal exactly how long he had been driving and whether federal Hours of Service limits were violated.
Was E&P Travel's Hiring and Training Adequate?
A company with a driver out-of-service rate more than five times the national average raises serious questions about how it hires, trains, and supervises its drivers. Was Jing Dong properly qualified? Was his CDL and medical certificate current? Had he previously been placed out of service? These questions are central to whether E&P Travel itself bears direct corporate liability for this crash.
Was the Bus Mechanically Sound?
Post-crash inspection of the bus will examine the condition of the braking system, tires, and mechanical components. Any deficiencies raise potential product liability and maintenance negligence claims — particularly relevant if the buses were leased and maintenance responsibilities were divided between E&P Travel and the lessor.
Did the Company's Scheduling Contribute to Fatigue?
The bus was travelling from New York City to Charlotte, North Carolina — approximately 650 miles. The crash occurred at 2:35 a.m. E&P Travel's dispatch records and scheduling records will reveal whether the company created conditions that made Hours of Service compliance impossible or encouraged the driver to push beyond safe limits.
Who May Have a Legal Claim?
- —Passengers on the E&P Travel bus who were injured in the crash
- —Families of the five people killed — wrongful death claims may be available
- —Occupants of other vehicles involved in the crash who were injured
- —First responders injured at the scene
Virginia law will govern the civil claims arising from this crash. Virginia uses a contributory negligence standard — which means that if a plaintiff is found even partially at fault, recovery may be barred entirely. Early legal representation is critical under Virginia's strict liability framework.
What Compensation Can You Pursue?
- —Medical expenses — past and future, including emergency care, surgery, and rehabilitation
- —Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
- —Pain and suffering — physical and psychological
- —Permanent disability or disfigurement
- —Wrongful death damages — funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and grief
- —Punitive damages — where gross negligence or wilful disregard of safety is established
Why Jazlowiecki & Jazlowiecki LLC?
Jazlowiecki & Jazlowiecki LLC has been representing victims of catastrophic bus accidents and mass transportation disasters for over 50 years. We recovered $36 million for victims of the Windsor Wildcats bus crash and $72 million for victims of the Lac-Mégantic train disaster. We understand how to identify every available source of compensation, how to move quickly to preserve critical evidence, and how to take on transportation companies and their insurers.
We work with co-counsel in states across the country and handle these cases on a contingency basis — you pay no fee unless we win.
- —$72,000,000 — Lac-Mégantic train disaster (global multi-party settlement)
- —$36,000,000 — Bus crash — personal injury (global multi-party settlement)
- —$3,420,000 — Product liability — nail gun injury, jury verdict
- —$2,950,000 — Bicycle injury verdict upheld by the Connecticut Supreme Court
The $72M and $36M recoveries involved multiple parties and law firms.
Steps to Take If You Were Affected
- Seek medical attention immediately — even if your injuries seem minor. Document all treatment.
- Keep all records — hospital bills, any communications from E&P Travel or its insurers, and any correspondence about the crash.
- Do not sign anything — if E&P Travel, any insurance representative, or any other party contacts you about a settlement or asks you to sign a release, do not sign before speaking with an attorney.
- Do not give recorded statements — you are not obligated to give a recorded statement to the company, its insurer, or their investigators.
- Document your injuries — photograph your injuries at every stage of recovery and keep a written log of symptoms and daily impact.
- Contact us immediately — Virginia has strict time limits for personal injury and wrongful death claims. Evidence is being collected now. The earlier we are involved, the better we can protect your rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Criminal charges establish that prosecutors believe the driver acted with criminal negligence — but the civil defendants are broader and the civil standard is different. In a civil lawsuit, victims can pursue not just the driver but E&P Travel itself, potentially the bus owner or lessor, and any other party whose negligence contributed to the crash. A civil case also seeks full compensation rather than punishment.
Contact Jazlowiecki & Jazlowiecki LLC — Free Case Evaluation
If you or your family were affected by the E&P Travel bus crash on I-95 in Virginia, do not wait. Contact Jazlowiecki & Jazlowiecki LLC today for a free, confidential, no-obligation case evaluation. Submit your case online →
Call: (860) 589-8000 — available 24/7
Email: Info@Jazlowiecki.com
No fee unless we win.