Driver’s kin: It wasn’t his fault
Lawyer: Unaware vehicle was unsafe
The deceased driver in the upstate crash that killed 20 people had no idea the vehicle was unsafe for use, a lawyer for his family said Tuesday.
Scott Lisinicchia, 53, the driver, was unaware the 2001 Ford Excursion that was converted into a limousine recently failed state inspection, according to lawyer George Longworth.
“Scott was a loving and caring man who never would have knowingly put others in harm’s way,” Longworth said in a statement. “The family believes that unbeknownst to him he was provided with a vehicle that was neither roadworthy nor safe for any of its occupants.”
The stretch limo from Prestige Limousine failed an inspection last month due to its unsafe chassis, suspension and brakes, Gov. Cuomo told reporters.
Prestige tried to hawk the modified limousine two days before the fatal crash on Craigslist, according to the Albany Times Union. The damaged vehicle was being sold for $9,000, the online posting shows.
The limousine was described as in “excellent condition” with 180,000 miles and “DOT ready,” the post said.
Authorities say that Lisinicchia did not have the required “passenger endorsement” on his commercial driver’s license.
The owner of Prestige also denied any culpability during two television interviews aired Tuesday.
“We understand what the governor is saying, what the DOT is saying, certainly it is in their interests to point away from any failures on behalf of the state,” Prestige lawyer Lee Kindlon said on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
“But as we understand right now, the inspections last month were minor things: windshield wipers, a latch on a windshield that needed to be fixed,” he added.
All 17 passengers inside were killed when the limo flew past a stop sign at the bottom of a hill by an Apple Country Store and Café on Route 30 in Schoharie on Saturday. Two bystanders by the restaurant were also killed.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash, the deadliest U.S. transportation disaster since 2009.
One victim inside the limo was worried about the condition of the vehicle because it was making so much noise, according to texts obtained by The New York Times.
Also Tuesday, funeral information for some of the victims was announced.
The relatives of Savannah Bursese, 24, will “receive relatives and friends” on Thursday at the Walrath & Stewart funeral home from 3 to 7 p.m. “A private celebration” of her life is scheduled for Friday.
“Savannah was saving up to move to Texas and begin her lifelong pursuit of a law degree,” the family posted online. “Beautiful inside and out, witty, fitness buff, animal lover...We will remember her this way.”