Limo in fatal accident unfit for the road
Vehicle in crash that killed 20 was not certified, failed New York inspection
One of the victims of the upstate New York limousine crash that killed all 18 aboard had texted concerns about the “terrible condition” of the limo less than
20 minutes before tragedy struck, her aunt says.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday that the limousine, owned by Prestige Limousine, didn’t have federal certification to operate and failed a state inspection last month. The vehicle was “not supposed to be on the road,” he said.
Authorities were investigating the crash on a winding road in rural Schoharie, about 160 miles north of New York City. The limo was bound for a birthday party at a Cooperstown brewery. Two pedestrians also were killed.
Valerie Abeling said her niece, Erin McGowan, 34, and her husband Shane,
30, were among the limo victims. Abeling’s daughter was busy and couldn’t join the party, a scheduling conflict that probably saved her life.
Abeling told The Washington Post that Erin sent a text message complaining about the condition of the limo, a last-minute replacement after a bus hired to shuttle the group broke down.
National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Robert Sumwalt said the limo’s road worthiness was one of many factors that will be studied.
Erin, who worked in a pediatrician’s office, and Shane, who worked for Miracle Ear, were married in June.
“These were friends just starting their lives, getting married, and this is how it ended,” Abeling said. “It’s a tragic loss of beautiful souls.”
Authorities had not revealed the names of victims pending confirmation of identifications and notification of family members. Some of those family members shared their stories.
Many of the dead were from Amsterdam, a city of less than 20,000 people 25 miles north of the crash site. State Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara called the crash a “devastating event impacting all parts of our community.”
Four of those killed were sisters, three of whom died with their husbands. Axel and Amy Steenburg, newlyweds from Amsterdam, had rented the limo, Axel Steenburg’s stepfather told The New York Times. The group had gathered for a surprise party for Amy Steenburg’s 30th birthday.
In a Facebook post three days before the crash, Amy professed her love for Axel. “I just wanted to say Axel Steenburg I love you more than words can say!” she wrote in the post that became a memorial to the couple, drawing hundreds of comments.
Amy’s sister Abigail and husband Adam Jackson, sister Mary and husband Rob Dyson and sister Allison King also died, the women’s aunt said.
“They did the responsible thing, getting a limo so they wouldn’t have to drive anywhere,” Barbara Douglas said. “They were wonderful girls. They’d do anything for you, and they were very close to each other, and they loved their family.”
Andrea Hojohn Orokos started a gofundme page for the family of Axel and his brother. Donations reached more than $7,500 of the $10,000 goal Monday.
Amanda Halse, 26, and her boyfriend, Patrick Cushing, 31, also died in the limo, Halse’s sister Karina told “Good Morning America.” They had been dating for about a year, she said. Her sister texted her an hour before the crash, but Karina said she didn’t get the chance to respond.
“She was such a charismatic person, and she just wanted to make sure everyone was happy,” Karina Halse said. “I’m so grateful that she was my sister out of everyone else on this earth.”
“These were friends just starting their lives ... and this is how it ended.” Valerie Abeling Aunt of one of the victims