| MUSLIM PRESTIGE LIMOUSINE DRIVER MAYBE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATH OF 19 PEOPLE IN SCHOHARIE, NEW YORK We have been warning people to be careful and vigilant when Muslim drivers operate vehicles. This COULD BE a terrorist act by a Muslim driver of the Prestige Limousine. The facts are as follows: The limo was speeding as it was approaching the stop sign. It made no effort to brake, as if the driver wanted to crash. The limo driver then hit two pedestrians and crashed into the woods in the creek. Again, no braking signs whatsoever. The Prestige Limousine of Saratoga, NY is owned by Shahed Hussain. The driver's name has not been released, but we would not be surprsised if he is a Muslim driver. If the NTSB finds that the limo had no mechanical problems, then terrorism should be suspected here.         A pair of newlyweds and a young upstate New York couple were among the victims of a deadly limousine crash over the weekend, according to their families. Newlyweds Erin Vertucci, 34, and Shane McGowan, 30, were among the 20 people killed near Albany on Saturday, their family said, in what officials are calling the country’s deadliest transportation accident in nearly a decade. The newlyweds were heading to a birthday party with another couple and several other friends when their stretch limousine skipped a stop sign and slammed into an unoccupied SUV in Schoharie -- about 43 miles west of Albany, authorities said. Investigators have not released details about the victims, but officials said all of the limo’s 18 occupants were killed, as well as two pedestrians who were standing nearby, authorities said.  The
Associated PressA New York state trooper and members of the National
Transportation Safety Board view the scene of Saturday's fatal crash in
Schoharie, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018. A limousine loaded with revelers
headed to a 30th birthday party blew a stop sign Chris Fiore, first deputy superintendent of the New York State Police, said the limousine failed to stop at the intersection. The speed limit on that road is 50 mph, but it was not immediately clear how fast the Ford limo was going, he said. “I’ve been on the board for 12 years and this is one of the biggest losses of live I’ve seen in a long time,” National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Robert Sumwalt said Sunday. “This is the most deadly transportation accident in this country since February 2009.” “It’s important to figure out what happened and why it happened to prevent things like this from happening in the future,” he added. The company which operated the vehicle, Prestige Limousine, has had vehicles inspected five times in the past five years and had four vehicles taken out of service, according to Department of Transportation records. The company had not had any crashes over the last two years, records show. Limos, which are chopped up by second-stage manufacturers and extended in length, are not subject to any regulatory agency. New York Sen. Chuck Schumer has pushed for stronger safety measures for limos in the past and said he was "heartbroken" by the tragedy. Authorities have not confirmed victims’ identities, but Barbara Douglas said her nieces were among the passengers killed. "I had four nieces. They are all dead. They were in there," Douglas told ABC News, without identifying them.  The
Associated PressPeople place flowers, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at the
scene where 20 people died as the result of a limousine crashing into a
parked and unoccupied SUV at an intersection a day earlier, in
Schoharie, N.Y. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink)  The
Associated PressDebris scatters an area Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at the
site of yesterday's fatal crash Schoharie, N.Y. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink) Karina Halse said investigators identified her 26-year-old sister, Amanda Halse, and her sister’s boyfriend, 31-year-old Patrick Cushing, as passengers as well. Amanda Halse and Cushing, who’d been dating for about a year, were traveling with Cushing’s friends to a party at Ommegang Brewery in Cooperstown, about an hour west of Schoharie, when the crash happened, Karina Halse told “Good Morning America.” “I mean she told me she got a limo and she was going to this brewery in Cooperstown and then this morning I saw a limo accident and 20 people dead,” Karina Halse, 21, told “GMA.” “I just put two and two together, hoping it wasn’t true. But then it happened to be true.” She said sister sent her a text message just an hour before the crash occurred, telling her about the limo, but she wasn’t able to respond in time.  The
Associated PressFlowers are placed at a roadside memorial at the scene
of Saturday's fatal limousine crash in Schoharie, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 7,
2018. A limousine loaded with revelers headed to a 30th birthday party
blew a stop sign at the end of a highway and slammed “I was at work yesterday, so I didn't reply to her until around 2 p.m. when I heard about the accident happening just before 2 p.m., so I was just late replying to her,” Karina Halse said. “But I just knew something was off when she wasn't replying to me right away.” Authorities notified Halse of her sister’s death about a day after the crash happened, crushing her and leaving her family in a total state of shock, she said. “She was just a great human being all around. She just wanted to make sure everyone was happy and she was a peacekeeper of the family,” Karina Halse said. “You know she was the best sister I could have ever had in my life. “I'm so grateful that I had her and I will cherish her memory forever,” she added.  Karina
HalseAmanda Halse and Patrick Cushing were among the victims of a
limousine crash that killed 20 people in Schoharie, N.Y., on Saturday,
Oct. 6, 2018. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has sent his condolences to all the families of the victims in a statement on Sunday. "I join all New Yorkers in mourning these deaths and share in the unspeakable sorrow experienced by their families and loved ones during this extremely difficult time," the governor said. "State police are working with federal and local authorities to investigate the crash, and I have directed State agencies to provide every resource necessary to aid in this investigation and determine what led to this tragedy."  The
Associated PressIn this Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018 photo, a limousine,
left, has landed in the woods following a fatal crash in Schoharie, N.Y.
(Tom Heffernan Sr. via AP) Investigators had not released any information about limousine or its driver as of early Monday morning. A vigil will be held Monday night for the victims, many of whom were from Amsterdam, New York, at the Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook, New York state Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara said. ABC News' Wil Cruz, David Kerley, Whitney Lloyd and Suzanne Yeo contributed to this report. ================================================  | ||||
| NTSB launching go-team today to limo crash near Albany, NY. More details to come. Check | ||||
People just need to slow down and learn to drive, otherwise they will die. More than 37,000 people died last year on the deadliest roads on earth, the United States roadway system where speeders, impatient drivers, aggressive drivers, drunk drivers, drugged drivers rule.
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20 killed in Schoharie limousine crash
State Police confirm the number of dead as they work to notify relatives of the dead
SCHOHARIE, NY - Twenty people died Saturday's crash of a limousine in Schoharie County, State Police confirmed late Sunday morning.
The crash is the deadliest in the Capital Region since the Oct. 2, 2005 sinking of the Ethan Allen tour boat on Lake George killed 20 people.
It is not clear how many of the victims were in the vehicles that crashed at the intersections of Route 30 and Route 30A and how many were bystanders. The Apple Barrel's parking lot was filled with people and parked cars at the time of the crash.
The names of the victims are being withheld while troopers try to track down the families of the victims. State Police set up a special hotline for the families of people who fear a loved one died in the crash. Family members are encouraged to call the State Police at 1-877-672-4911.
A spokesman for the NTSB, which handles probes of major vehicular disasters, said Sunday that investigators were on their way into the area.
The NTSB investigators are expected to be in the area for days and then will sort through evidence and interviews to determine what caused the crash.
The crash between a limousine and another vehicle at the intersection of routes 30 and 30A happened at about 1:55 p.m. Saturday. It killed a number of people near the busy Apple Barrel, a popular spot for tourists during the fall foliage season.
State Police said they reopened the intersection about 4 a.m. Sunday.
Investigators worked into the night on what is likely to be the deadliest vehicle crash the region has seen in years.
The Apple Barrel's parking lot was packed with vehicles and people just moments before the crash occurred.
Witnesses at the scene said several bodies could be seen on the ground.
Estimates on the number killed had varied wildly from several local sources. A Facebook page called Schoharie County Fire Wire and News said it took down its initial post concerning the crash because of the false information that was being placed in the comment string.
It appears that at least two vehicles - including an SUV-style stretch limousine - were involved in the crash. It was unclear if the impact killed pedestrians, passengers or both.
County dispatchers said they received the first of many 9-1-1 calls at 1:55 p.m. after the wreck near the store and restaurant in the town of Schoharie.
The emergency calls triggered a massive response that included six ambulances, three fire companies, and two helicopters.
Some of the injured were flown by helicopter to Albany Medical Center Hospital.
As of late Saturday, the State Police were reconstructing the wreck and authorities were attempting to get in contact with family members of the victims.
The Apple Barrel posted a note on Facebook that said it will be open Sunday, and will be collecting donations for the local volunteer agencies who responded to the scene of the crash.
"We hope you will come and share your smiles, love, friendship and hugs with us. We also hope you will share your change. We will be collecting donations for our local volunteer emergency services. They are the heroes of our small community."
"Our hearts and prayers go out to everyone that was affected by the events of today," the post continued. "You will always be part of our family."
The store also said, "We will not be discussing the events of today any further. Thank you for understanding."
Schoharie Town Supervisor Alan Tavenner said Saturday that improvements the state Department of Transportation made about seven years ago to the dangerous intersection didn't seem to make it safer.
"There have been tractor trailers that have come barreling down that hill and it was a miracle they didn't kill somebody," said Tavenner.
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NTSB to probe deadly Schoharie crash
Troopers said not saying how many died; road reopened after Saturday accident on Routes 30, 30A
By Mike Goodwin and Lauren Stanforth
SCHOHARIE, NEW YORK -
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the deadly crash that killed a number of people Saturday near the busy Apple Barrel Country Store.
State Police have not said how many died and the estimates for local sources have varied widely.
A spokesman for the federal agency, which handles probes of major vehicular disasters, said Sunday that investigators were on their way into the area.
The NTSB investigators are expected to be in the area for days and then will sort through evidence and interviews to determine what caused the crash.
The crash between a limousine and another vehicle at the intersection of routes 30 and 30A happened at about 1:55 p.m. Saturday. It killed a number of people near the busy Apple Barrel, a popular spot for tourists during the fall foliage season.
State Police said they reopened the intersection about 4 a.m. Sunday.
Investigators worked into the night on what is likely to be the deadliest vehicle crash the region has seen in years.
The Apple Barrel's parking lot was packed with vehicles and people just moments before the crash occurred.
Witnesses at the scene said several bodies could be seen on the ground.
Many questions remain unanswered:
State Police say the crash resulted in "multiple fatalities" but, as of 7:30 a.m. Sunday, troopers have not said how many people died or released names of the victims.
Estimates on the number killed has varied wildly from several local sources. A Facebook page called Schoharie County Fire Wire and News said it took down its initial post concerning the crash because of the false information that was being placed in the comment string.
It appears that at least two vehicles - including an SUV-style stretch limousine - were involved in the crash. It was unclear if the impact killed pedestrians, passengers or both.
County dispatchers said they received the first of many 9-1-1 calls at 1:55 p.m. after the wreck near the store and restaurant in the town of Schoharie.
The emergency calls triggered a massive response that included six ambulances, three fire companies, and two helicopters.
Some of the injured were flown by helicopter to Albany Medical Center Hospital.
As of late Saturday, the State Police were reconstructing the wreck and authorities were attempting to get in contact with family members of the victims.
The Apple Barrel posted a note on Facebook that said it will be open Sunday, and will be collecting donations for the local volunteer agencies who responded to the scene of the crash.
"We hope you will come and share your smiles, love, friendship and hugs with us. We also hope you will share your change. We will be collecting donations for our local volunteer emergency services. They are the heroes of our small community."
"Our hearts and prayers go out to everyone that was affected by the events of today," the post continued. "You will always be part of our family."
The store also said, "We will not be discussing the events of today any further. Thank you for understanding."
Schoharie Town Supervisor Alan Tavenner said Saturday that improvements the state Department of Transportation made about seven years ago to the dangerous intersection didn't seem to make it safer.
"There have been tractor trailers that have come barreling down that hill and it was a miracle they didn't kill somebody," said Tavenner.
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| The proposed roundabout for the intersection of Routes 30 and 30A is shown. |
The New York state Department of Transportation held a meeting in the village Tuesday to inform the public on a proposed plan to improve safety at the intersection of Routes 30 and 30A in the town of Mayfield through the implementation of a new traffic pattern at that intersection.
The state DOT’s proposal, called the Route 30/30A Intersection Safety Improvement Project, offers two alternatives to improving safety — a single-lane rural roundabout with an estimated cost of $1.4 million and a traditional T-intersection with a three-color traffic signal and turning lanes for all directions at an estimated cost of $1.3 million.
According to data collected by the state DOT, the 30/30A intersection — which currently has only a flashing signal — “has about 11,600 vehicles per day,” and an above-average traffic accident rate.
“This is a high accident location,” project team leader, Michael Muha said. “The project objective is to improve safety by reducing vehicular conflicts and crashes. This is a safety project and so the number one concern is safety.”
The state DOT’s preferred alternative is a single lane roundabout, which project designer Eric Hitchcock said would have a 130-foot outside diameter and include a 50-foot center island, a 20-foot truck apron, and a 20-foot travel lane, and splitter islands on all approaches.