New details have come to light about the man authorities say was responsible for a horror chain reaction bus crash that claimed the lives of a family of four, including that he could not speak English. 

Jing S Dong, 48, was identified as the driver of a bus that plowed into at least six vehicles on a major Virginia interstate near Quantico in the early hours of Friday morning, according to state police.

Family members have identified Dmitri Doncev, 45, his wife Ecaterina Doncev, 44, and their children, Emily Doncev, 14, and Mark Doncev, 7, as four of the victims in the crash. 

A GoFundMe description for the Doncev family said they were traveling to a wedding in South Carolina when they died. 

A 25-year-old Massachusetts woman in another vehicle was also killed, and dozens were injured. 

Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said on Friday night that Dong is a Chinese immigrant and a US citizen, but does not speak English. 

He received his commercial driver’s license from New York State in 2024. Dong is from Staten Island. 

‘Unacceptable. This is exactly why we are holding states’ accountable, enforcing the rules of the road, and cracking down on drivers who can’t speak English,’ Duffy said in a statement on X. 

Ecaterina Doncev, 44, and her children, Emily Doncev, 14, and Mark Doncev, 7, were killed in a horror crash in Virginia on Friday 

Authorities said a bus plowed into multiple vehicles after 2am on Friday, resulting in five fatalities, including a family of four 

The Doncev family lived in Greenfield, Massachusetts and were regular churchgoers

‘If you can’t be properly trained, read our road signs, or communicate with law enforcement, you have no business driving a bus.’

Duffy added that investigators with the department are reviewing New York licensing records, training documentation and Dong’s driver history. 

The secretary concluded with a harsh warning: ‘Any company, trainer, or school that contributed to putting an unqualified driver on the road will face intense scrutiny.’ 

According to guidance from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, drivers do not need to speak English fluently to obtain a license, but do need to be proficient enough to understand signage. 

However, Duffy signed an order earlier this month that strengthens English-language enforcement for commercial truck operators. 

The updated guidance requires any truck operators who fail to comply with the FMCSA’s English-language proficiency requirements to be placed out of service. 

The bus was operated by E&P Travel Inc, based in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. A compliance snapshot from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration showed only one injury accident involving the company’s vehicles in the previous two years and listed its safety rating as ‘satisfactory.’

The company was incorporated on November 24, 2023, by Shuo Liu, according to records from the North Carolina Secretary of State´s office. Liu is also listed as the registered agent. The FMCSA site said the company operated four vehicles and had 11 drivers. 

Officials identified the driver of the bus as a man from Staten Island named, Jing S Dong, who did not speak English 

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in an online statement that his department would be ‘cracking down on drivers who can’t speak English’ 

Authorities have said that charges are pending against Dong. The Daily Mail has reached out to the Virginia State Police for an update. 

The Doncev family immigrated to the US in 2008 and settled in Greenfield, a city about 45 minutes north of Springfield.

Dmitri was a registered nurse. His daughter, Emily, was a straight-A student, and his son, Mark, defied the odds after being born at just 26 weeks, according to the online fundraiser. 

The family said Ecaterina will be remembered for her ‘creative mind, outgoing nature, and joyful presence,’ while her husband was known for his ‘bright personality and generous spirit.’

Emily was a ‘sweet and gentle teenager,’ while her little brother Mark ‘possessed the biggest heart and brought endless joy, love, and laughter to those around him.’ 

The family were regular churchgoers and attended the Greenfield Russian Baptist Church. 

A friend and member of the church launched the GoFundMe to raise money for funeral expenses and to transport their bodies from Virginia to Massachusetts. 

Dmitri’s brother, Luri, announced the tragic news of the family’s passing on social media, writing that the pain was ‘impossible to put into words.’ 

Dmitri Doncev was a registered nurse and father of two. He was known for his ‘bright personality and generous spirit,’ a family friend said in an online fundraiser 

Emily was described as a ‘sweet and gentle teenager,’ while her little brother Mark ‘possessed the biggest heart and brought endless joy, love, and laughter to those around him,’ family members said 

‘Our family is grieving deeply, and during this heartbreaking time, we want to thank every friend, family member, and everyone who shares in our sorrow for your prayers, support, kind words, and compassion,’ Luri added. 

The crash happened at about 2.35am. Police said on Friday night that in addition to the five fatalities, 44 people were taken to hospitals, including three in critical condition. Police said there were ‘approximately’ 34 passengers on the bus.

‘We’ve got patients in multiple hospitals. We’ve got the driver at a hospital here,’ said Peyton Vogel, a Federal Transit Administration spokesperson who was on the scene.

‘I’ve got to say, this is one of the most tragic things I’ve ever seen. Absolutely tragic.’

Mary Washington Healthcare said it received 19 patients from the crash. The facility posted online that seven of the patients were taken to its trauma center in Fredericksburg, where four were being discharged, and three remained in treatment – one in serious condition and two in critical condition.

Twelve were taken to Stafford Hospital, where they were later discharged in good condition.

The Stafford Fire Department called the emergency response ‘a complex and labor-intensive operation that required a coordinated response from multiple agencies across the region.’

Wayne Tobin, a passenger on the bus when it crashed, told local ABC affiliate, WUSA, that he was on his way to his mother’s funeral when the horror unfolded. 

A mangled and burnt out vehicle is pictured at the scene of the accident 

The investigation into the crash is ongoing. Authorities said on Friday night that 44 people were taken to hospitals, including three in critical condition 

‘It was horrible. It was just like blood everywhere, it was people holding their head. Their heads were bleeding,’ he recalled. 

Another passenger named Judy said she woke up to screaming and ‘glass flying everywhere,’ adding, ‘The bus turning over, a guy broke the glass to get us all out.’ 

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger thanked emergency responders for their fast action and said an investigation was ongoing in a statement. 

‘My heart is with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, and I am praying for a quick recovery for those injured,’ she added.