This information is preliminary and subject to change.
Release Date 18 June 2026
On Friday, May 29, 2026, about 2:32 a.m. eastern daylight time, a 57 passenger 2013 Van Hool C2045L motorcoach, operated by E&P Travel, Inc., was traveling south in the center lane of Interstate 95 (I-95) in Stafford, Stafford County, Virginia. In this area, I-95 is a divided, six-lane roadway composed of three northbound and three southbound traffic lanes. Between the southbound and northbound lanes were two reversible express toll lanes. A short-term work zone had been established in the area of the southbound lanes. The speed limit along this section of I-95 was 65 mph, including in the work zone. The weather was reported to be clear and dry.
The motorcoach, occupied by a driver and 24 passengers, was traveling from New York City, New York, to Charlotte, North Carolina. It was operating in scheduled passenger service when it encountered a traffic queue near mile marker 146.6 that had formed due to lane and shoulder closures associated with the work zone. The motorcoach did not slow as it approached the traffic queue and collided with the rear of a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and a 2020 Acura MDX in the center lane at the end of the queue, about 1,000 feet north of the beginning of the right shoulder closure. The motorcoach continued south into the queue for about 0.44 miles, causing eight other vehicles in the queue to become involved in the crash events before it came to a stop in the median between the I-95 southbound lanes and the I-95 express lanes. A postcrash fire consumed the Acura.
As a result of the crash, one passenger in the Chevrolet and all four occupants of the Acura were fatally injured. Other vehicle occupants involved in the crash sustained injuries ranging from minor to serious.
The 1.6-mile-long short-term work zone was established for an overnight pavement resurfacing project, which began at 9:00 p.m. on May 28, 2026, and was scheduled to finish at 5:00 a.m. on May 29, 2026. The work zone configuration included closure of the southbound center lane, right lane, and right shoulder.
Parties to the NTSB investigation include:
- Virginia State Police
- Virginia Department of Transportation
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
All aspects of the crash remain under investigation while the NTSB determines the probable cause, with the intent of issuing safety recommendations to prevent similar events.
