A year after limo crash killed 20, memorial is unveiled

SCHOHARIE, N.Y. — A memorial to the 20 people killed when a stretch limousine blew through an intersection at the bottom of a long hill and barreled into an earthen embankment a year ago is being unveiled at the crash site in upstate New York.

The memorial featuring 20 stones in a semicircle is to be viewed privately by family members and first responders Saturday morning. The public is welcome Sunday.

Each stone features a plaque bearing the name of a person killed in the Oct. 6, 2018, crash near a country store in Schoharie, New York. The 17 passengers, including four sisters, were on a birthday outing when the limo crashed. The driver and two pedestrians also were killed.

“It’s important that they never be forgotten,” said Jessica Kirby, president of Reflections Memorial Foundation. Kirby was working at her family’s country store the day of the crash and called 911.

A unique shoe print on each stone symbolizes the lasting impressions of the victims. There also will be stones honoring the emergency responders.

“Hopefully, it reminds people on a daily basis of what’s important in their lives: their family, their friends,” Kirby said.

The not-for-profit foundation has raised more than

$50,000 and hopes to raise

$250,000 to fund continuous maintenance, she said.

The memorial is near where crosses were mounted on a vertical plank shortly after the crash. That temporary memorial was donated to the New York State Museum.

The crash made renewed headlines in the week leading up to the year anniversary.

The National Transportation Safety Board recommended stricter limousine safety standards Wednesday.