Fatal crash in Schoharie, New York - 20 persons dead

[empirestate]

In my view, the use or otherwise of compression braking should have been discussed in more detail.  I am not a limousine driver and have no experience with diesel-fuelled vehicles, but even in an ordinary unmodified gasoline-powered car, I would not be attempting to control speed on this particular downhill grade through brakes alone.

The thing is, I think, that very few drivers these days are in that kind of habit–certainly for passenger cars, but also a non-negligible proportion of professional drivers. It seems more common nowadays to treat driving a vehicle more like using a computer than operating a machine.

[webny99]

Really hard to believe this was nearly three years ago. It feels much more recent, to the point where I even questioned whether it had been since the pandemic before seeing the dates on the link(s) upthread.

[hbelkins]

Bumping this thread for some new news: This is now under federal investigation

https://stefanik.house.gov/2022/4/stefanik-announces-fbi-will-investigate-schoharie-limo-crash

(There's some independent news coverage on this as well in case Stefanik's statements aren't credible in the eyes of some.)

[wanderer2575]

In my view, the use or otherwise of compression braking should have been discussed in more detail.  I am not a limousine driver and have no experience with diesel-fuelled vehicles, but even in an ordinary unmodified gasoline-powered car, I would not be attempting to control speed on this particular downhill grade through brakes alone.

Don't be ridiculous.  One can't talk on the phone, instruct Alexa to turn the coffeemaker on via remote control, adjust the infotainment system, AND be expected to know how to maneuver/control the vehicle he/she is driving.  /s

With the exception of my parents, everybody who has been a passenger in my car when I downshift on a steep grade (there's one I drive often near my home) or at an unexpected red light has asked what I am doing.  They've never heard of it.

[kalvado]

Bumping this thread for some new news: This is now under federal investigation

https://stefanik.house.gov/2022/4/stefanik-announces-fbi-will-investigate-schoharie-limo-crash

(There's some independent news coverage on this as well in case Stefanik's statements aren't credible in the eyes of some.)

Given that convictions are already out, and evidence rusted, and FBI were the ones to cover this up.. Expect a whole lot of nothing.

[kalvado]

Bumping this thread for some new news: This is now under federal investigation

https://stefanik.house.gov/2022/4/stefanik-announces-fbi-will-investigate-schoharie-limo-crash

(There's some independent news coverage on this as well in case Stefanik's statements aren't credible in the eyes of some.)

And another update, again from Stefanik who got a briefing from FBI:

I have serious concerns about the FBI's confidential human source program's standard operating procedures in this case, and grieving families deserve to be updated by the FBI so they can have full and much-needed transparency

https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/stefanik-serious-concerns-fbi-informants-17867312.php
I still expect whole lot of nothing, though, even after plea deal for owner's son who operated the business is shot down.

[US71]

Bumping this thread for some new news: This is now under federal investigation

https://stefanik.house.gov/2022/4/stefanik-announces-fbi-will-investigate-schoharie-limo-crash

(There's some independent news coverage on this as well in case Stefanik's statements aren't credible in the eyes of some.)

Given that convictions are already out, and evidence rusted, and FBI were the ones to cover this up.. Expect a whole lot of nothing.

Unless they need a scapegoat

[kalvado]

Aaaand... After a long fight and pretty short trial limo operator is convicted of 20 counts of manslaughter by jury. He's looking forward to 5-15 years sentencing on May 31. Call me very surprized.
FBI involvement is basically confirmed, and  we'll see what would happen next. I assume at least one round of appeal...

https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/schoharie-limo-crash-jury-enters-second-day-18104121.php

[LilianaUwU]

Aaaand... After a long fight and pretty short trial limo operator is convicted of 20 counts of manslaughter by jury. He's looking forward to 5-15 years sentencing on May 31. Call me very surprized.
FBI involvement is basically confirmed, and  we'll see what would happen next. I assume at least one round of appeal...

https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/schoharie-limo-crash-jury-enters-second-day-18104121.php

Killing 20 people, even as manslaughter instead of murder, should be life in jail.

[Rothman]

I still think the stocks should be brought back.

[LilianaUwU]

I still think the stocks should be brought back.

The stocks are used for, uh, other things nowadays.

[Scott5114]

Aaaand... After a long fight and pretty short trial limo operator is convicted of 20 counts of manslaughter by jury. He's looking forward to 5-15 years sentencing on May 31. Call me very surprized.
FBI involvement is basically confirmed, and  we'll see what would happen next. I assume at least one round of appeal...

https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/schoharie-limo-crash-jury-enters-second-day-18104121.php

Killing 20 people, even as manslaughter instead of murder, should be life in jail.

I'm not sure if this is true in this specific case, as the rules for this vary from state to state and from crime to crime, but in some cases where someone is convicted on multiple charges, the judge can opt for the sentences to run consecutively rather than concurrently. If that was done in this case, 5 years times 20 counts would be 100 years.

[kalvado]

Aaaand... After a long fight and pretty short trial limo operator is convicted of 20 counts of manslaughter by jury. He's looking forward to 5-15 years sentencing on May 31. Call me very surprized.
FBI involvement is basically confirmed, and  we'll see what would happen next. I assume at least one round of appeal...

https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/schoharie-limo-crash-jury-enters-second-day-18104121.php

Killing 20 people, even as manslaughter instead of murder, should be life in jail.

I'm not sure if this is true in this specific case, as the rules for this vary from state to state and from crime to crime, but in some cases where someone is convicted on multiple charges, the judge can opt for the sentences to run consecutively rather than concurrently. If that was done in this case, 5 years times 20 counts would be 100 years.

I don't believe NYS law would allow consecutive terms in Hussain case - it's a non-violent crime, no priors...  Even if it was possible, sum would be truncated to 20 years if not less.