Limo involved in deadly crash had been cited for faulty brakes

California readers may have heard about the horrific limousine crash that killed 20 people in upstate New York on Oct. 6. Now, media outlets are reporting that the vehicle involved in the deadly accident had been cited for brake failures by the State Department of Transportation.

ABC News obtained copies of the ill-fated limo's inspection results. The vehicle had been cited for brakes that were out of service and faulty brake connections. Meanwhile, the limo's driver was not licensed to chauffeur more than 15 people. However, the limo was carrying 17 passengers to a birthday party when it crashed. The driver, all the passengers, and two pedestrians were killed when the vehicle blew through a stop sign and crashed into a parking lot in Schoharie.

A lawyer for the limo company said that the vehicle had only been cited for minor violations. However, a spokesperson for the DOT called that assertion "categorically false" and said the owner of the limo company had been warned to keep the vehicle off the road. According to a spokesperson for the driver's widow, the driver had also complained that the limo was in poor condition. On Oct. 10, the owner of the limo company was arrested and charged with criminally negligent homicide. He plead not guilty.

Families who lose a loved one in a fatal car accident may wish to speak to an attorney about filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the party or parties responsible for the crash. This type of claim can be filed in addition to any criminal charges that are filed. Typical damages sought in a wrongful death claim include funeral and burial expenses, loss of income and loss of companionship.

Source: ABC News, "Limo in deadly crash had been cited for out-of-service brakes," Oct. 11, 2018