STAFFORD, Va. — Five people lost their lives and 34 others were rushed to area hospitals after a bus collided with multiple vehicles on Interstate 95 in Virginia early Friday morning, according to state police.
The deadly accident occurred around 2:35 a.m. on the southbound lanes of I-95 in Stafford County. All fatalities were occupants of the vehicles that were struck by the bus, while three of those injured remain in critical condition, authorities reported.
“The preliminary investigation indicates that traffic was slowing southbound for an upcoming work zone,” state police said in a news release. “A bus failed to slow for traffic and struck six vehicles.”
Authorities have not yet disclosed the purpose of the bus or the number of passengers it was carrying.
The incident remains under active investigation with charges pending, according to police.
Highway officials kept southbound traffic lanes shut down for seven hours following the collision, forcing drivers onto alternate routes.
