ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Lawyers for the operators of a limousine that crashed and killed 20 people in upstate New York say the deaths could have been caused by an act of God or the passengers' failure to wear seat belts.

The Times Union reports lawyers for Prestige Limousine owner Shahed Hussain and his son, Nauman, made their arguments in response to a lawsuit filed by one of the victim's parents.

The lawsuit claims that the operators kept the limousine on the road after it failed inspection for brake problems and other issues.

State Police and the National Transportation Safety Board have not released an official cause to the Oct. 6 crash in rural Schoharie, New York.

Nauman Hussain has pleaded not guilty to a charge of criminally negligent homicide.

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