Nauman Hussain, a worker at a limousine company in upstate New York, has been convicted of 20 counts of manslaughter in connection with a tragic limo accident that claimed the lives of 20 people in 2018.
The jury found Hussain guilty of second-degree manslaughter for each victim, including the driver, 17 passengers, and two pedestrians
The incident occurred in Schoharie when the limousine, a converted 2001 Ford Excursion, failed to stop at a stop sign, collided with a parked SUV, and plunged into a ravine. This accident marked the deadliest transportation disaster in the United States in nearly a decade.
According to authorities, Hussain, the son of the limo company’s owner, had hired the driver, Scott Lisinicchia, despite knowing that Lisinicchia did not possess the required license to operate the limo. A felony complaint stated that Hussain was aware of the vehicle’s mechanical and safety deficiencies, including brake-related issues. The limousine had even failed inspection just a month prior to the crash and should not have been on the road, as confirmed by former Governor Andrew Cuomo.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) later revealed that the limousine had been traveling at over 100 mph before the accident occurred. The NTSB’s report concluded that the crash was a result of Prestige Limousine and Chauffeur Service’s blatant disregard for safety. The company had dispatched the out-of-service limousine for a passenger charter trip, leading to the failure of its brake system.
The defense claimed that Hussain had paid another company to fix the vehicle’s issues, but the work was left incomplete
Hussain’s attorney stated that his client intends to appeal the verdict. The sentencing is scheduled for May 31. The families of the victims, who embraced each other in the courtroom after the verdict was announced, expressed a mix of emotions. They have been waiting a long time for justice to be served and are relieved by the outcome of the trial.
The accident claimed the lives of individuals from different walks of life, including young parents, newlyweds, artists, athletes, and four sisters from the same family. The community hopes that this conviction brings some closure to the families affected by this devastating incident.
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