Currents News Staff
“It just really hurts to think that this could happen. How could this ever happen? I don’t know how this could have happened,” said Karina Halse. She is the sister of one of the 19 victims killed in a deadly limo crash.
The operator of the limousine company now under arrest, facing charges with criminally negligent homicide.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo ordering flags to be half-staff in honor of the victims. He says the modified-suv limousine failed inspection last month and was not supposed to be on the road.
But the attorney for prestige limousine says that is under dispute. “You know, windshield wipers and a latch on a window had broken and they fixed it, so little things like that. But as recently as last week they were told by the Department of Transportation that they could that this vehicle was road-worthy and they could drive it,” said Lee Kindlon.
Authorities have identified all of the victims. Among them, Matthew Coons, who worked as a personal trainer. “I know that God is cradling him in Heaven. And we will see him again one day and work out in Heaven’s gym. I know he’s up there doing curls,” said Jim Evans. He was a friend of Matthew Coons. Coons’ girlfriend died with him in the crash.
Amy King Steenburg and her three sisters were also in the limo. They were celebrating her 30th birthday. “They were fun-loving, they were wonderful girls, they’d do anything for you and they were very close to each other and they loved their family,” said Valerie Abeling, a relative of the family.