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Brunswick County, VA (May 19, 2026) – Twelve people were hospitalized early Tuesday morning after a motorcoach crash on Interstate 85 North, near East Atlantic Street, South Hill, in Brunswick County.
The crash occurred at approximately 2:39 a.m. on May 19, near mile marker 36, about two miles from the Route 630 exit. Virginia State Police reported that the motorcoach was traveling northbound when it initially veered off the left side of the roadway and struck a guardrail.
Authorities said the bus then crossed back across the interstate, left the right side of the road, and struck an embankment and a tree. The motorcoach was traveling from Durham, North Carolina, to New York at the time of the crash.
Twelve people, including the 47-year-old driver, were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver was later charged with failure to maintain control.
The investigation into the crash remains ongoing as officials review the circumstances leading up to the incident.
We are thinking of those injured as they recover.
Why Motorcoach Crashes Can Affect Multiple Passengers
Motorcoach and charter bus crashes often involve multiple injuries due to the number of passengers seated inside a single vehicle. Even when injuries are not life-threatening, sudden impacts can cause widespread harm across several rows of seating.
When a large vehicle leaves the roadway, it may strike multiple fixed objects such as guardrails, embankments, or trees before coming to a stop. Investigators typically examine driver control, road conditions, and vehicle movement patterns to understand how the crash developed. Early-morning travel hours can also contribute to reduced alertness and delayed reaction times, which may increase crash risk on long interstate routes.
