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Fatal motor coach crash involving seven vehicles on Interstate 95 in Virginia prompts NTSB investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into a fatal multi-vehicle collision near Stafford, Virginia, where a motor coach carrying passengers from New York to North Carolina failed to stop for a traffic queue in a work zone on Interstate 95. The crash, which occurred at approximately 2:35 a.m. on May 29, resulted in fatalities and serious injuries.
The National Transportation Safety Board has launched a full investigation into a fatal multi-vehicle collision on Interstate 95 near Stafford, Virginia. A motor coach operated by E&P Travel of Kings Mountain, North Carolina, carrying passengers from New York to North Carolina, crashed into a traffic queue in a work zone at approximately 2:35 a.m. on May 29.
The right and center lanes of southbound I-95 were closed due to construction work, with only the left lane remaining open for traffic. A queue had formed as vehicles were diverted into the single lane, and the motor coach failed to respond to the backup, colliding with at least seven vehicles. The crash resulted in both fatalities and serious injuries.
NTSB investigators are examining multiple aspects of the incident, including the motor coach driver's actions, qualifications, medical fitness and possible fatigue or impairment. They are also looking at the work zone setup, whether the end of the traffic queue was properly monitored, and the operations and oversight of the motor carrier.
The NTSB has deployed a team that will remain on scene for five to seven days. A preliminary report is expected within thirty days, while the final investigative report could take between twelve and twenty-four months to complete. The agency is working alongside the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Virginia State Police and the Virginia Department of Transportation.
The NTSB emphasized that this is a safety investigation running parallel to the law enforcement investigation conducted by the Virginia State Police. The agency is seeking any witness video footage and has asked anyone with information to contact them. The investigation aims to determine not just what happened but why, in order to recommend changes to prevent similar tragedies.