A stretch limo blew a stop sign at T intersection went across the road,hit an suv and two pedestrians.
All 18 aboard were killed.
NTSB and troopers are investigating.
this was in Schoharie NY .
One report that the vehicle was on the road illegally, didn't pass inspection and driver did not have proper license.
Of note is that this was in the middle of the day, NOT at night as you might expect.
how is it even legal that 18 people are allowed in anything not a small bus?
I can't find the NYS V&T code, but I seem to recall that above a certain occupancy the vehicle is supposed to be registered as a bus. No matter what caused this, I'm fairly certain the nature of the vehicle (and the compromised nature of the chassis as a result of the modifications) contributed significantly to the result.
In reply to mad_machine :
They get registered as a bus which is why it was able to be out of service following a DOT inspection and the driver was driving out of class, no bus endorsement or 19A certification. After working for a body shop that fixed limos I’m be very hesitant to ride in one, particularly an older one. Some of them are pieced together and as they age they get really interesting home brewed repairs.
Bottom of a hill, dangerous intersection,bad scene.
The vehicle didn’t look so damaged that everybody inside would be dead before they get to the hospital. I read that a couple were thrown from the vehicle.
In reply to spitfirebill :
I would guess no seat belts and lots of sharp edges on the furniture inside made for some gruesome injuries.
It was a 2001 Lincoln Navigator, modified. EDIT: correction... 2001 Excursion
When I heard this was in Upstate NY my first thought was, "that's rust country." I also know that after 17 years these vehicles are pretty hobbled together underneath even if the exterior has a glossy finish. My suspicion is major "rust-through" failure, like busted frame or rusted through shock tower. I think it is more than just rusted brake line but it could be that as well.
I was thinking, the 5500 pound 2001 Navi was rated to tow 8800 pounds and carry another 1500. That means it had brakes capable of stopping 15,800 pounds. 10 extra people at 200# each is 2000 pounds, and I doubt the stretch added 6800 pounds, so it should have been able to stop despite the hill. I am guessing that maintenance was not up-to-snuff or that the driver was distracted or impaired.
I saw a pic of what appeared to be the accident scene, and it was for sure an Excursion, not a Navigator (unless the pic was wrong/fake, but it did match the area in google street view). It appeared to have made an abrupt stop on the far side of a ditch from very high speed, which for sure isn't good for the people inside no matter what kind of safety features the vehicle has.Even for a rally car with harnesses and a cage I think it would have not ended well for the occupants.
In reply to pinchvalve :
Don't forget that 8800 lb of that has its own brakes.
Stretch limos ARE buses. They are registered as such, and drivers are licensed as such.
It seems like the overall integrity of the vehicle held up fairly well. That just doesn't seem like enough damage to the passenger compartment that it would kill everybody on board. It's really sad either way.
Prestige Limo is closed for business, I read the owner fled to Pakistan. 
Unfortunately four of the victims are sisters, some had their husbands with them.
I've read elsewhere that, that vehicle and many others from the fleet had failed safety inspection before. Also the company has a history of safety issues. Finally, believe it or not the company owner is/was an FBI informant. Tragic as this is, if it wasn't' real it'd make a good set up for a movie plot
Please don't....... Too much crap out there now.
I know not every State has it, but New York has a pretty tight annual safety inspection. Even the guy I go to wouldn't pass some stuff as it now goes right to Albany. No more nod & a wink how 'bout a beer? NYS now enforces the window tint law, quite rigidly too.
Dan
Just a tragedy . Newly weds, four sisters etc.
vehicle failed inspection. wonder what part. unqualified driver.
What failed , vehicle or driver ?
Limo hit an SUV and then came to sudden stop causing all to fall foward . Didn't have to have major damage.
their have been videos showing how unbelted passengers are thrown around.
There was a picture on the news of a wheel and tire. The wheel did not appear damged.
If it came from the limo it raises questions.
I'm sure the troopers and ntsb investigators have already checked it.
In reply to STM317 :
It was reported that the impact drove the engine back into the drivers compartment.
I suspect most of the damage was the result of the 3000 lbs of cargo (17 people) flying forward and making a couple hundred G stop. You might think whomever was at the back (top) of the pile might have the best chance of survival, but the front (bottom) where doomed.
They've arrested the "operator" of the company... Not sure if that's the owner or manager or who...,
In reply to johndej :
The owner’s son according to the local news.
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