This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/07/nyregion/limo-crash-victims-schoharie-ny.html

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
Limo Crash in New York: 4 Sisters Were Among the 20 Victims Limo Crash in Upstate New York: 4 Sisters Were Among the 20 Victims
(about 4 hours later)
The limousine accident in Schoharie, N.Y., on Saturday took 20 lives almost instantly. It devastated families, killing siblings and leaving young children without parents. The victims were friends and relatives — including four sisters from one family, and two brothers from another — who were traveling to a brewery in Cooperstown, N.Y., to celebrate a 30th birthday.The limousine accident in Schoharie, N.Y., on Saturday took 20 lives almost instantly. It devastated families, killing siblings and leaving young children without parents. The victims were friends and relatives — including four sisters from one family, and two brothers from another — who were traveling to a brewery in Cooperstown, N.Y., to celebrate a 30th birthday.
Instead, they were killed when the oversized limousine they were traveling in barreled through an intersection that is known locally for its danger and crashed into an unoccupied car — and two other people, killing them — before coming to a rest in a shallow ravine.Instead, they were killed when the oversized limousine they were traveling in barreled through an intersection that is known locally for its danger and crashed into an unoccupied car — and two other people, killing them — before coming to a rest in a shallow ravine.
[Read more about how the limousine crash happened.][Read more about how the limousine crash happened.]
Investigators have said little about what they know about the accident, believed by federal officials to be the deadliest transportation incident since a 2009 air crash. But details about the victims are beginning to emerge.Investigators have said little about what they know about the accident, believed by federal officials to be the deadliest transportation incident since a 2009 air crash. But details about the victims are beginning to emerge.
Here’s what we know about the 20 people killed on Saturday.Here’s what we know about the 20 people killed on Saturday.
• The limousine was rented by Axel and Amy Steenburg, newlyweds from Amsterdam, N.Y., who had married over the summer, according to Lester Andrews, Axel Steenburg’s stepfather. The group of friends had gathered to celebrate Amy Steenburg’s 30th birthday.• The limousine was rented by Axel and Amy Steenburg, newlyweds from Amsterdam, N.Y., who had married over the summer, according to Lester Andrews, Axel Steenburg’s stepfather. The group of friends had gathered to celebrate Amy Steenburg’s 30th birthday.
• Three of her sisters, Mary Dyson, Allison King and Abby Jackson, also died in the car crash, relatives said. An online fund-raiser to help pay for the expenses of the sisters’ three children has raised more than $60,000. Axel’s brother, Rich Steenburg, was also killed and is survived by his 10-year-old daughter and 14-year-old stepson. The Steenburg brothers both worked for GlobalFoundries, a foundry that produces semiconductors. • Three of her sisters, Mary Dyson, Allison King and Abby Jackson, also died in the crash, relatives said. An online fund-raiser to help pay for the expenses of the sisters’ three children has raised more than $60,000. Axel’s brother, Rich Steenburg, was also killed and is survived by his 10-year-old daughter and 14-year-old stepson. The Steenburg brothers both worked for GlobalFoundries, a foundry that produces semiconductors.
• Ms. Jackson was a teacher in the Amsterdam School District, per The Times Union. Amsterdam is a small Mohawk River city, about 30 miles north of Schoharie, where “most” of the victims were from, according to a tweet from Angelo Santabarbara, a local assemblyman. The city plans a vigil on Monday evening for the victims. • Ms. Jackson was a teacher in the Amsterdam School District, according to The Times Union. Amsterdam is a small Mohawk River city, about 30 miles north of Schoharie, and it is where most of the victims were from, according to a tweet from Angelo Santabarbara, a local assemblyman. The city is set to hold a vigil on Monday evening for the victims.
• Barbara Douglas, an aunt of the four sisters, told NBC News that the party was a surprise birthday celebration for her niece, Ms. Steenburg. “They did the responsible thing getting a limo so they wouldn’t be driving,” Ms. Douglas said. She added that Rob Dyson, who was married to Ms. Dyson, was also killed in the crash.• Barbara Douglas, an aunt of the four sisters, told NBC News that the party was a surprise birthday celebration for her niece, Ms. Steenburg. “They did the responsible thing getting a limo so they wouldn’t be driving,” Ms. Douglas said. She added that Rob Dyson, who was married to Ms. Dyson, was also killed in the crash.
Mr. and Ms. Dyson lived in Watertown, N.Y., near Lake Ontario. Ms. Dyson was an Army veteran, an engineer and a CrossFit coach, according to WWNYTV. The Dysons lived in Watertown, N.Y., near Lake Ontario. Ms. Dyson was an Army veteran, an engineer and a CrossFit coach, according to WWNYTV.
• Two other victims were also recently married: Erin and Shane McGowan. Rocco Semprivivo said his stepdaughter, Erin McGowan, had dated Shane McGowan for a few years before marrying at St. Mary’s Church in Amsterdam in June. • Two other victims were also recently married: Erin and Shane McGowan. The couple was married in June at St. Mary’s Church in Amsterdam, according to Rocco Semprivivo, Erin McGowan’s stepfather.
She had worked at St. Mary’s Hospital in Amsterdam and was studying for her master’s degree in special education. Erin McGowan had worked at St. Mary’s Hospital in Amsterdam and was studying for her master’s degree in special education.
“She was a pretty outgoing, gregarious girl,” Mr. Semprivivo said.“She was a pretty outgoing, gregarious girl,” Mr. Semprivivo said.
• Patrick Cushing, who was Erin McGowan’s cousin, also died in the crash. “He loved, hugged and cried with his friends and family like their problems were his,” his brother, Justin Cushing, said in a statement. Patrick Cushing, 31, worked for the technology group of the New York Senate, his brother said. He loved photography and played for Team USA Dodgeball.• Patrick Cushing, who was Erin McGowan’s cousin, also died in the crash. “He loved, hugged and cried with his friends and family like their problems were his,” his brother, Justin Cushing, said in a statement. Patrick Cushing, 31, worked for the technology group of the New York Senate, his brother said. He loved photography and played for Team USA Dodgeball.
“Pat’s passion for the sport and always present laughter were infectious to those lucky enough to play alongside or against him,” Team USA Dodgeball wrote on Facebook.“Pat’s passion for the sport and always present laughter were infectious to those lucky enough to play alongside or against him,” Team USA Dodgeball wrote on Facebook.
In a statement, John F. Flanagan, the Senate majority leader, said, “He was an extraordinary employee and a wonderful young man who was loved by all. He will be greatly missed by his Senate family.” In a statement, John F. Flanagan, the Senate majority leader, said: “He was an extraordinary employee and a wonderful young man who was loved by all. He will be greatly missed by his Senate family.”
Patrick Cushing lived in Troy with his girlfriend, Amanda Halse, 26, who also died in the crash. “He loved Amanda,” his brother said.Patrick Cushing lived in Troy with his girlfriend, Amanda Halse, 26, who also died in the crash. “He loved Amanda,” his brother said.
• Karina Halse talked about her sister Amanda Halse on “Good Morning America” on Monday. • Karina Halse talked about her sister, Amanda Halse, on Monday’s “Good Morning America.”
“She was such a charismatic person and she just wanted to make sure everyone was happy and I’m so grateful that she was my sister out of everyone else on this earth,” Ms. Halse said. “She was such a charismatic person and she just wanted to make sure everyone was happy and I’m so grateful that she was my sister, out of everyone else on this earth,” Ms. Halse said.
Her sister had been dating Mr. Cushing for about a year, she said.Her sister had been dating Mr. Cushing for about a year, she said.
• Patrick Cushing was the godfather to one of Adam and Abby Jackson’s daughters. Mr. and Ms. Jackson also died in the crash. A GoFundMe page was created to cover the college expenses for their daughters, Archer, 4, and 16-month-old Ellie. • Adam and Abby Jackson, both of whom died in the crash, were friends of Patrick Cushing; he was the godfather to one of their two daughters. A GoFundMe page has been created to help cover college expenses for the girls, Archer, 4, and 16-month-old Ellie.
• The victims were a tight-knit group of friends, most of them in their 30s, that had been recently married or had young children, according to Erin Flaherty, a mutual friend who lives in Manhattan. • The driver of the vehicle, who also died in the crash, had not been identified by authorities, but social media posts from family members said he was Scott Lisinicchia. His wife, Kim Lisinicchia, shared a Go Fund Me page on Facebook to raise funds for her husband’s funeral expenses. “It hurts me to a core to have to bury my husband,” she wrote. Another Facebook post by Mr. Lisinicchia’s niece confirmed that he was the driver of the limousine. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said that the driver “did not have the appropriate driver’s license to be operating that vehicle,” which caused the deaths in an accident he said was one of the worst in state history.
“They were together multiple times a week always hanging out,” said Ms. Flaherty, noting they threw many backyard parties.
• A candlelight vigil for the families of the victims will be held at 7 p.m. Monday in Amsterdam, N.Y.• A candlelight vigil for the families of the victims will be held at 7 p.m. Monday in Amsterdam, N.Y.