Schoharie Limo Crash: Deadliest Limo Accident in History

SCHOHARIE, NEW YORK-17 friends went out to celebrate a birthday party in a limo but met with an accident downhill.

The limousine was faced with an accident at an intersection of two highways that residents have warned to be dangerous. The crash killed all the 18 occupants of the car, including the driver and two pedestrians.

Among the dead, there were four sisters, two brothers, and at least three young couples.

"That limo was coming down that hill probably over 60 miles per hour," said Jessica Kirby, 36, the manager of the Apple Barrel Country Store, where she said customers were hit near the parking lot. "All fatal."

"I don't want to describe the scene," she added. "It's not something I want to think about."

Federal investigators arrived at the scene to find clues leading to the accident. The police department also mentioned that the bodies are underway for autopsies, including toxicology.

The accident left even the seasoned investigators shocked who called it the nation's deadliest transportation accident since 2009 when a plane crash killed 50 people.

"Twenty fatalities is just horrific," said Robert L. Sumwalt, the chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, which is launching a comprehensive investigation. "I've been on the board for 12 years and this is one of the biggest losses of life that we've seen in a long, long time."

Everyone killed in the Schoharie crash was adult, according to the State Police.

"They were together multiple times a week, always hanging out," said a relative.

Valerie Abeling, the aunt of Erin Vertucci, who died in the crash, said they were headed to Cooperstown for a birthday party.

Lester Andrews, from Rochester, said he lost his two stepsons and a daughter-in-law in the limousine crash.

Two brothers Axel Steenburg, 29, and Rich Steenburg, 34 also died in the crash. Axel Steenburg's wife, Amy, also died. She was the one celebrating her 30th birthday. Three of her sisters, Mary Dyson, Allison King and Abby Jackson, were also killed.

"My heart breaks for the 20 people who lost their lives," Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said in a statement.