5 dead, 34 injured after bus strikes several vehicles on I-95 in Stafford County

STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. (7News) — Five people are dead and dozens are injured after a multi-vehicle crash involving a motorcoach early Friday morning on Interstate 95 southbound in Stafford County.

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According to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the crash happened near mile marker 146, about two miles south of Exit 148 for Quantico. As of noon, all southbound lanes of I-95 reopened.

The crash happened around 2:35 a.m., where traffic was slowing ahead of an upcoming work zone, according to Virginia State Police.

State police said a bus failed to slow for traffic and struck six vehicles. In coordination with VSP, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is sending a team to conduct a safety investigation into the deadly crash.

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What we know about the victims:

Officials confirmed five fatalities among the occupants of the vehicles struck by the bus. In addition, 34 people were taken to area hospitals. Three of those people are reported to have critical injuries.

A spokesperson with the Stafford County Fire and Rescue said one of the injured was flown to a hospital while all other victims were taken to “several, local hospitals within the region,” via ambulance.

Crash on I-95 in Stafford County, Virginia, Friday morning, May 29, 2026. (Richard Guastadisegni/7News)

Mary Washington Healthcare tells 7News they received a total of 19 patients from the crash.

Seven patients were taken to the trauma center at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg. Five have been treated and are being discharged and two remain in critical condition.

Twelve patients were taken to Stafford Hospital in Stafford. Those patients are in overall good condition and have been discharged.

Crash on I-95 in Stafford County, Virginia, Friday morning, May 29, 2026. (VSP)

Authorities said the crash remains under active investigation and charges are pending.