Governor: Limo That Crashed Shouldn’t Have Been On The Road

SCHOHARIE, N.Y. (AP) — The driver of a supersized limousine involved in a crash that killed 20 people outside an upstate New York country store wasn't properly licensed, and the limo failed a state safety inspection just last month and shouldn't have been on the hoharieroad, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday.

The state ordered the owner, Prestige Limousine, shut down while an investigation continues into what caused Saturday's wreck in Schoharie.

"In my opinion, the owner of this company had no business putting a failed vehicle on the road," the governor said while attending a Columbus Day Parade in New York City. "Prestige has a lot of questions to answer."

A call to the company's office in Gansevoort rang unanswered Monday. Federal records show the company has undergone five inspections and had four vehicles pulled from service in the last two years.

The crash killed two pedestrians and 18 occupants of the limousine, which was headed to a birthday party. Among the victims were four sisters.

Authorities didn't say whether the limo occupants were wearing seat belts, give the speed of the limo or speculate what caused the limo to run a stop sign at an intersection and slam into a parked SUV by the Apple Barrel Country Store and Cafe. Autopsies were being performed, including on the driver, to see if drugs were alcohol were a factor.

A vigil will be held Monday night in Amsterdam, where some victims lived.