Limo-inspection bills aim to close loopholes after fatal wreck

Dec. 12--Legislators are moving to improve vehicle safety regulations following the limousine crash in Schoharie that killed 20 people in October.

Rep. John Faso, R-Kinderhook, introduced a bill Tuesday that would close a loophole for retrofitted limousines that have skirted requirements as re-sold vehicles and avoided compliance with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

"I also felt that before I left Congress by the end of this year that we wanted to make sure we researched this and put legislation in ..." he said, adding that he is hopeful co-sponsors Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam; and Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro; will make progress to have the Limousine Safety Modernization Act made law in 2019.

The 2001 Ford Excursion limousine involved in the Oct. 6 accident, owned by Prestige Limousine of Wilton, was stretched after it was built to hold up to 19 people. It failed state inspections, but it was also exempt from federal manufacturing safety checks. These safety regulations include seat belt and exit point requirements.

All 18 occupants of the limo and two pedestrians struck by the out-of-control vehicle were killed as it sped through the parking lot of the Apple Barrel Country Store.

The driver of the limo was not properly licensed, and the Excursion's brakes were also found to be faulty. The crash remains under federal and state investigation. The manager of the limo company, Nauman Hussain, 28, is free on $150,000 bail after being arrested on a charge of criminally negligent homicide in connection with the deaths.

The state Senate has also introduced legislation that includes proposals to remove stretch limousines from the road after 10 years, create new procedures if a vehicle fails a safety inspection, impose minimum liability insurance coverage of $2 million, and display inspection results on the state Department of Transportation website.

It would also make a "license plate"-sized sticker on a passenger door mandatory to display the date of the last successful inspection or indicate that the vehicle failed and can't transport passengers.

Relatives of crash victim Amanda Rivenberg announced their intention to sue New York state over their her death this week. Her parents have already sued Prestige Limousine. The intent to file claims that agencies were negligent in not keeping the intersection of Route 30 and 30A safe. Additional lawsuits on behalf of other family members of the victims are expected.

Erin Jerome, staff writer, may be reached at (607) 441-7221, or at ejerome@thedailystar.com. Follow her on Twitter at @DS_ErinJ .

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