The Schoharie limo tragedy: The victims, the investigation, the community outpouring

On Oct. 6, 2018, 20 people lost their lives when a limousine crashed in Schoharie. In the days that followed, details emerged of the victims and the investigation, all as a community mobilized and mourned.

Those killed were identified as husbands and wifes, sisters, brothers, friends and tourists: Limo passengers Axel J. Steenburg, 29; Richard M. Steenburg, 34; Amy L. Steenburg, 29; Allison King, 31; Mary E. Dyson, 33; Robert J. Dyson, 34; Abigail M. Jackson, 34; Matthew W. Coons, 27; Savannah D. Bursese, 24; Patrick K. Cushing, 31; Amanda D. Halse, 26; Erin R. McGowan, 34; Shane T. McGowan, 30; Amanda Rivenberg, 29; Adam G. Jackson, 34; Rachael K. Cavosie, 30; and Michael C. Ukaj, 33; driver Scott T. Lisinicchia, 53; and pedestrians Brian Hough, 46, and James Schnurr, 70.

Below is coverage of the tragedy gathered from both The Daily Gazette and The New York Times.

Victims

• Elections board feels the absence of crash victim, Oct. 19, 2018
• NY Times: Parents of 4 daughters lost in limo crash try to cope, Oct. 17,  2018
• NY Times: A birthday bash, 17 friends and a ragged limo, Oct. 14, 2018
• Schoharie limo crash victim obituaries, Oct. 11, 2018
• Schoharie accident victims remembered by family, friends, Oct. 9, 2018
• Schoharie crash victims’ names, Oct. 9, 2018
• Family mourns ‘pure soul’ Patrick Cushing, Oct. 9, 2018
• Amsterdam schools grapple with tragedy ‘beyond understanding’, Oct. 8, 2018
• Some of those lost in the Schoharie limo tragedy, sisters, brothers, young parents, Oct. 8, 2018
• Newlyweds, parents identified as among those killed, Oct. 7, 2018

Investigation

• Defense experts to view Schoharie crash limo soon, Oct. 22, 2018
• Schoharie crash autopsy results released, Oct. 19, 2018
• Operator of limousine service involved in Schoharie crash arrested, Oct. 10, 2018
• Brakes faulted in Schoharie limo inspections, Oct. 9, 2018
• Heavy trucks banned from Schoharie limo crash intersection approach in 2015, Oct. 9, 2018
• State police: Owner of limo  company involved in Schoharie crash in Pakistan, Oct. 8, 2018
• Drone used to map Schoharie limo crash scene, Oct. 8, 2018
• NY Times: Firm that owned limo in deadly crash repeatedly failed inspections, Oct. 8, 2018
• Cuomo: Limo in Schoharie crash failed inspection; driver not properly licensed, Oct. 8, 2018
• Resident: Schoharie limo crash intersection dangerous, Oct. 7, 2018
• State Police: 20 dead in Schoharie limo crash – 18 in limo, 2 pedestrians, Oct. 7, 2018
• Accident in Schoharie County has multiple fatalities, Oct. 6, 2018

Memorials

• Plans for Schoharie memorial moving ahead, Oct. 23, 2018

Vigils

• Hundreds show support at Schoharie vigil, Oct. 10, 2018
• Scenes from the Schoharie vigil, Oct. 10, 2018
• Thousands attend vigil honoring Schoharie limo tragedy victims of accident, Oct. 8, 2018
• Scenes from the candlelight vigil held in Amsterdam, Oct. 8, 2018
• Other scenes from the Amsterdam vigil, Oct. 8, 2018

Funerals

• Limo crash victim Ukaj laid to rest at Saratoga National Cemetery, Oct. 17, 2018
• Hundreds file through to pay respects to couple killed in limo crash, Oct. 14, 2018
• Funeral service held for eight killed in Schoharie crash, Oct. 13, 2018
• Sisters, spouses, brothers killed in limo crash memorialized in Amsterdam, Oct. 12, 2018
• Mourners pay respects to eight lost in limo crash, Oct. 12, 2018
• Schoharie limo crash victims’ bodies released, Oct. 9, 2018

Scenes

• Michael C. Ukaj’s service at Saratoga National Cemetery and the crash site memorial, Oct. 17, 2018
• Amanda Rivenburg, Erin and Shane McGowan and Rachael Cavosie calling hours and funerals, Oct. 15, 2018
• Calling hours and funeral for eight victims, sisters, brothers, husbands, Oct. 13, 2018
• Victim photos, Oct. 11, 2018
• The Schoharie vigil, Oct. 10, 2018
• Procession of hearses and the crash scene memorial, Oct. 10, 2018
• Candlelight vigil held in Amsterdam, Oct. 8, 2018
• Other scenes from the Amsterdam vigil, Oct. 8, 2018
• From the crash site, Oct. 6 and Oct. 7, 2018

Fundraising 

• After limo crash, Mohawk Harbor benefit concert helps in Healing Schoharie, Oct. 28, 2018
• Mohawk Harbor benefit in Schenectady set for Schoharie limo tragedy victims, Oct. 16, 2018
• Donation hub announced for Schoharie limo crash victims, Oct. 12, 2018
• Online fundraisers for Schoharie limo tragedy victims draw large response, Oct. 11, 2018
• Cafe near Schoharie limo crash scene reopens, requests hugs, collects donations, Oct. 7, 2018

Safety

• New York’s senators call for new limo regulations, Oct. 17, 2018
• State limo safety legislation proposed after Schoharie crash, Oct. 15, 2018
• Legislators call for limo safety probe, Oct. 12, 2018
• Proper license would have required driver to inspect limo, Oct. 11, 2018
• Limousines exempt from federal safety standards, Oct. 11, 2018

Categories: Fulton Montgomery Schoharie, News