WASHINGTON — Five people were killed and another 34 were injured after a major bus crash early Friday morning on I-95 southbound in Stafford County, Virginia.
Read more 100-year-old WWII veteran finally attends prom more than 80 years later
WUSA reports that the Virginia State Police said traffic heading south slowed approaching a work zone, but the bus did not, crashing into six vehicles in front of it. All five people who have died were inside the vehicles hit by the bus, according to law enforcement.
Authorities have not said what factors caused the bus to crash, but they say charges are pending. Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board are working with Virginia State Police to figure out what happened.
The bus is operated by E&P Travel, Inc. based on Kings Mountain, North Carolina. A representative for the company spoke to WUSA9 by phone and confirmed the bus was traveling from New York City to Charlotte on an overnight trip. The representative said the company had no additional comment at this time.
The crash happened around the 146-mile marker on I-95 southbound just after 2:30 a.m. Eastern on Friday.
Of the 34 people brought to nearby hospitals, officials said three were critically injured.
Read more Former Maricopa Attorney General reflects on time in Vietnam
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger said Virginia State Police will share more information as it becomes available.
“My office and our state agencies have been working to respond to the deadly crash on I-95 that occurred early this morning,” Spanberger said 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.”
Kendra E. Gerlach, a spokesperson for Mary Washington Healthcare, said 19 people were taken to Mary Washington Hospital overnight. Seven of those were taken to Mary Washington Hospital trauma center in Fredericksburg. Two people remain in critical condition.
Five have been treated and released, Gerlach said.
Additionally, 12 patients were taken to Stafford Hospital in Stafford, Virginia.
“Those patients are in overall good condition and have been discharged as patients,” Gerlach said via an email to WUSA9.
Read more Hoover Dam installs massive US flag display for America’s 250 anniversary