A 25-year-old Worcester woman who was killed in a multi-vehicle crash involving a passenger bus on Interstate 95 in Virginia last week has been identified as Priscilla R. Mafalda, according to Virginia State Police.
Mafalda was one of five Massachusetts residents who died in the crash, which occurred around 2:35 a.m. May 29 on the southbound side of I-95 in Stafford County, near Quantico.
According to Virginia State Police, traffic was slowing for an upcoming work zone when a bus operated by E&P Travel and traveling from New York City to Charlotte, N.C., failed to slow and struck a Chevrolet Suburban. The Suburban was then forced into an Acura SUV and additional vehicles, while the bus also struck other vehicles. Authorities said the crash involved seven vehicles, including the bus.
Mafalda was riding in the Suburban and died as a result of the collision.
Four other victims — a 45-year-old man, a 44-year-old woman, a 13-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy, all from Greenfield — were traveling in the Acura, which caught fire after the crash, according to state police.
Approximately 44 people were transported to area hospitals following the crash. The bus was carrying about 34 occupants at the time.
The bus driver, Jing S. Dong, 48, of Staten Island, N.Y., suffered injuries in the crash. Virginia State Police announced this week that Dong has been charged with five counts of involuntary manslaughter and one misdemeanor count of reckless driving.
Police said Dong has been released from the hospital and is being held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail. He is scheduled to appear in Stafford County General District Court at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 10, followed by a hearing in Stafford County Circuit Court later that morning.
Friends and coworkers told Boston Globe that Mafalda, who was originally from Brazil and lived in Worcester, was known for her kindness and work ethic. A fundraising campaign has been launched to return her body to Brazil for burial, according to published reports. Her husband was also reportedly injured in the crash.
The crash remains under investigation. Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has video footage of the incident or its aftermath to contact Virginia State Police.
Greenfield Mayor Virginia Desorgher previously issued a statement mourning the loss of the four Greenfield residents.
“To the families, friends, and neighbors of those we lost: there are no words that can fully ease the weight of this sudden and unimaginable grief,” Desorgher said in a statement reported by WCVB. “Please know that you are not walking through this dark time alone.”
Virginia State Police said additional information will be released as the investigation continues.
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