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Community members held a candlelight vigil Monday in northern New York State to remember the victims of a fatal limousine crash, which the authorities consider to be the accident of most deadly transport in the country for almost 10 years.
Hundreds of people gathered Monday night in a park overlooking the Mohawk River in Amsterdam, New York State, with flowers, candles and handwritten notes to pay tribute to the 20 victims of the death. accident who died Saturday.
"Tonight we have again seen the strength of our community in Amsterdam: thousands of people have come together to pay homage to their lives, to remember their lives and to support their families," said in a statement. a statement the member of the Assembly of the State of New York, Angelo Santabarbara. "The horrible event that cost the lives of 20 people on Saturday left us with unbearable and endless pain."
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Investigators are still gathering detailed information about the accident. However, according to repressive sources, the limousine driver did not have the necessary license to drive the vehicle and officials seek to know if the security protocols were violated.
State police refused to disclose the names of the victims, but members of their families said the group was going to a party in Cooperstown, about an hour west of Schoharie, when their elongated limousine passed in front of a stop sign and crashed into a parked sport utility vehicle. killing the 18 occupants of the limousine and two pedestrians who were nearby, announced the authorities.
"The investigators are continuing hearings with witnesses and family members and the autopsies of the victims are still underway at the Albany Medical Center," said the National Transportation Safety Bureau in a statement Monday night. "Because of the severity of the accident, this process takes time."
Stretch limousines, which are cut by second-stage and elongated manufacturers, are not subject to any regulatory agency. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said the limousine had failed during a safety inspection by the DMV of the State of New York last month and had no case on the road.
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He added that the state was seeking a cessation and forbearance order aimed at preventing the Limousine Limo company from carrying on business until the close of the investigation. Prestige has agreed to withdraw its car park from the road following the accident, according to a statement released Monday.
"Prestige Limousine sends its heartfelt condolences to the family members and friends of those who tragically lost their lives on Saturday," the statement said. "We are conducting a detailed internal investigation to determine the cause of the accident and the measures we can take to prevent future accidents."
Local leaders, clergy and residents who knew the victims were among those present in Amsterdam, the hometown of several victims, community members said.
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"I know they have become angels in our eyes and in Jesus' eyes, and I am really hurt and saddened, and I really appreciate my family," said Shannon Hoogkamp of Amsterdam, WTEN , a subsidiary of Albany ABC.
Karina Halse, whose sister Amanda Halse was on board and died in the accident, told "Good Morning America" that officials had told her that the limousine "was coming down the hill more than 60 km to l & # 39; time ".
Amanda Halse, 26, and her boyfriend, 31-year-old Patrick Cushing, who has been in a relationship for about a year, traveled with Cushing's friends to a party at Ommegang Brewery in Cooperstown, about an hour away. West of Schoharie, at the time of the accident. Karina Halse told "GMA".
The newly-weds Erin Vertucci, 34, and Shane McGowan, 30, and four young sisters were among the passengers killed, ABC News told their family.
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