The former owner of a New York limousine company that was charged with manslaughter in a fatal 2018 crash was sentenced on Wednesday to at least five years in prison.
Two people died in a car crash on Oct. 6, 2018, in Schoharie, in upstate New York.
On May 17 the limo rental company, Nauman Hussain, who was rented from Prestige Limousine, was convicted of manslaughter.
Hussain has been sentenced to an indeterminate sentence of at least five years and a maximum of 15 years in prison. Hussain, wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, made no comments and walked with his head down after he was sentenced.
There's a sense of relief that we got through a long journey, said Kevin Cushing, whose 31-year-old son, Patrick Cushing, was killed in the crash. We know that we re not finished, but this was a great step forward for the families. Hussain's lawyer said an appeal is scheduled for Tuesday, NBC affiliate WNYT of Albany reported.
Lynch, the judge, rejected a plea deal last year that would have spared Hussain from serving prison time.
The driver, all 17 passengers and two pedestrians died when the Ford Excursion stretch limousine crashed in Schoharie, a city near Albany, about 30 miles west of Albany.
A group of friends rented a limo for a surprise party. It crashed on a hill after its brakes failed to slow it down.
The National Transportation Safety Board said the limo company's egregious disregard for safety resulted in the brake failure and the crash. The vehicle was on the steep hill until it crashed, cruising at more than 100 mph.
The NTSB apologised for the state transportation department's poor oversight.
The transportation agency said that the transport Department's oversight was ineffective and that it knew of Prestige's multiple out-of-service violations. The department also failed to register the limo, allowing the company to evade safety and inspection requirements.
After the accident, New York has changed its regulations regarding safety for commercial vehicles.
His son was a sportsman who wanted his life to be fair, he said. Patrick Cushing's girlfriend and several of his best friends also died in the crash.
Things happen in life where it isn't fair, he said. This definitely wasn't fair to the 20 individuals who lost their lives.