A motorcoach driver who slammed into stopped traffic on Interstate 95 in Virginia, killing five people including a 13-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy, cannot speak English despite holding a valid commercial driver’s license. The driver, a naturalized U.S. citizen from China, obtained his CDL from New York State in 2024, raising urgent questions about state licensing standards and public safety protocols.
Fatal Crash Claims Five Lives
The Friday morning collision involved multiple vehicles after the bus driver failed to slow down for stopped traffic. The motorcoach struck a Chevrolet Suburban, pushing it into an Acura SUV that subsequently caught fire. Four victims died in the burning Acura: a 45-year-old man, 44-year-old woman, 13-year-old girl, and 7-year-old boy, all from Greenfield, Massachusetts. A 25-year-old woman in the Suburban became the fifth fatality. Forty-four people required hospitalization, including three with critical injuries.
Federal Investigation Targets State Licensing
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed local police reports that the driver cannot communicate in English. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration investigators arrived at the crash site alongside National Transportation Safety Board officials. Duffy stated his department will review New York licensing records, training documentation, and the driver’s complete history. The Secretary emphasized that companies, trainers, or schools that contributed to putting an unqualified driver on the road will face intense scrutiny.
Accountability and Safety Standards
Secretary Duffy condemned the situation as unacceptable, highlighting the federal government’s commitment to holding states accountable and enforcing road safety regulations. He stressed that drivers unable to read road signs, complete proper training, or communicate with law enforcement should not operate commercial vehicles. The investigation focuses on how New York State issued a commercial driver’s license to someone lacking English proficiency, a requirement for understanding traffic regulations and emergency communications. The Secretary extended prayers to families of the victims and those injured in what he termed a horrific incident.
Theere must be criminal charge against a number of people/agencies…
The bus company, and the state of New York need to be sued BIG TIME. This is beyond despicable especially after the same type thing has been in the news lately.
New York? It figures. Why don’t they understand? Now people are dead because of their carelessness in issuing CDL’s.
JD. I agree with Bill , the person or persons involved in giving this individual should be charged with involuntary manslaughter.
I think Karken is right. The only way to make change is to make the states and employers financially liable for workers licensed
A naturalized citizen from China who doesn’t speak English?
All naturalized citizens must pass an English proficiency test.
That was my first thought!
Driver licenses should not be issued to ANYONE who cannot speak English. Injuries and fatalities happen every day, not just by cdl holders in trucks. I don’t know how they get licenses at all. My husband and son drive semis and there are multiple tests that must be passed every year to get a cdl.
They should also learn English if they want to live and work in the US, as would be expected of those going to other countries.
Wait for the motor driver less car accidents in the future. So how this very accident is handled will set precedence for future non human involvement accidents. Non English speaker driving and cannot read the road signs is unbelievable!!! Lawsuits will not bring all those people back!