Nauman Hussain, the former manager of Prestige Limousine, has been found guilty of manslaughter in a tragic accident that claimed the lives of 20 people, making it one of the deadliest road wrecks in the past two decades in the United States.
Limousine service manager convicted of manslaughter in deadly crash
The incident occurred in 2018 when a stretch limousine carrying partygoers for a woman’s 30th birthday celebration veered off the road in upstate New York due to brake failure.
Hussain, who could face a maximum prison sentence of 15 years, displayed disappointment upon hearing the verdict, while applause resonated from the audience upon the jury’s dismissal. Prosecutors argued that Hussain deliberately neglected mandatory routine state inspections for the 2001 Ford Excursion stretch limo, which would have revealed brake defects and potentially prevented the accident.
The devastating crash involved the limousine colliding with a parked car and trees before coming to a stop in a streambed in Schoharie, a village west of Albany. Among the victims were seventeen passengers, the driver, and two bystanders. Hussain’s defense attorney, Lee Kindlon, claimed that his client had been deceived by a repair shop and denied any criminal responsibility on their part.
The jurors reached a verdict, marking a significant moment for the grieving families of the victims
The criminal case had faced delays due to the pandemic, causing frustration among the relatives. In 2021, they were disheartened by the announcement of a plea deal that would have spared Hussain from imprisonment. However, last fall, a judge rejected the deal, leading to the trial taking place just a few miles away from the site of the tragic incident.
Throughout the trial, witnesses testified, including a former manager of the repair shop, individuals who witnessed the crash, and a state Department of Transportation inspector who had previously flagged the SUV-style limousine for violations. In a surprising turn of events, the defense chose not to present any witnesses. Hussain’s sentencing is scheduled for May 31.
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